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Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
W
e are heading into the Christmas season with record spending because more people have a larger disposable income. Many more than ever are working and the stores have the Christmas paraphernalia and gifts to entice people to spend lavishly. Businesses are looking forward to a booming turnover. The real reason for the holiday is often ignored by those with the resources to spoil themselves in a frenzy of shopping, partying, overeating and overspending. Many with the resources or opportunities to indulge, remember the less fortunate who will not even enjoy a Christmas dinner without community support. Those are those who help the homeless. Christmas is the birthday celebration of the Christ child. This event summons Christians and all in society on December 25 each year to recognize and give thanks for Christ’s very being. Although Christians celebrate Jesus’s birth on December 25 every year, most scholars have opined that he was not born on that day. They are of the opinion that Jesus’s birth could not have taken place in December because the shepherds could not have been abiding outside in the fields during that coldest time of the year. They believe that the fathers of early Christianity have chosen December 25 to celebrate Christ’s birthday for many reasons. One, it was tied to the end of the winter season and the commencement of longer daylight hours in that part of the world. Two, the sun was seen by early Christians as representing the light of Christ entering the world. Hence, December 25 was popularized as the date for Christmas, not because Christ was born on that day, but because it was already popular in pagan religious festivals celebrating the sun. However, theologians have contended that Christianity has outlasted the Pagan religious festivities and Roman mythology and that the spirit of giving and sharing, and to love thy neighbour as thyself, according to Christ’s command, remain paramount in the Christmas celebration. This is the real reason for the season. However, many churches in Guyana and around the world are having a hard time competing with the parting and shopping and the merrymaking that dominate the season. The reality is that nothing is wrong with the partying and the shopping and the gift-giving that we all enjoy at Christmas. The churches would hope that the celebration of the birth of Christ is indeed cause for festivity, joy and happiness but that such celebration should not overshadow the sobriety, reverence and worship. The truth is Christmas comes around so quickly nowadays that we tend to forget what it is all about. We need to fall in love again with the magic, the mystery, the mythical and the factual historical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. Christmas in the Catholic world brings back memories of the Christian tradition that has taken root in Guyana and elsewhere with the singing of carols, the family gettogethers, the cooking, cake baking, new curtains ( blinds), new furniture, painting and varnishing of floors, gifts and the over-indulgence of eating, drinking and partying. So, Christmas is coming, and it really is the most wonderful time of the year. With all the spending and all the good times and all the best wishes that will go around, let us remember the true meaning of the season.A Caribbean Christmas is a joy to behold. It is a time when the children enjoy the best of everything and when the parents themselves become children. It is the time that people look forward to whole year. They save just for the one day called Christmas Day and when it is over they look forward to the next
Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.
President Granger ought to have known that being Chairman of GECOM is a strenuous job Dear Editor, The illness of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, James Patterson is very worrying because it will no doubt slow up the machinery of the election process in the country. The latest report is that the 85 year old is hospitalized. No details were given concerning the nature of his illness, but one news flash that he was in the intense care unit for a while. It is worrying that despite protests, President Granger chose to name the aged Patterson to head this important Commission. He rejected all three lists submitted by the leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo and unilaterally chose the retired judge. There is no doubt that
Patterson was handpicked for political reasons and the government spent legal fees to defend the court actions challenging his appointment. Granger, who is much younger, is now ill and ought to know that the Chairman of the GEC is a strenuous job and it would be very challenging for him, but went ahead, casting aside
protests and made the controversial appointment. Several bloggers even those in support of the Granger administration are calling for the appointment of young, strong men who can do the job . Meanwhile, Speaker Scotland has referred PPP/C Chief Whip Gail Teixeira’s complaint against Prime
Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s participation in the National Assembly while performing the functions of President, to the parliamentary committee on constitutional reform. Teixeira’s threats to move to the courts, will of course take quite some time, since there might be appeals. Oscar Ramjeet
Granger’s anti-corruption net seems to have caught some rotten fish Dear Editor, President Granger’s creation of the Local Government Commission appears to have caught a big rotten fish in the form of one particular individual at the Mayor and City Council. However, the President has reminded us that it is the duty of the Courts to determine the guilt of all accused persons, including that individual.
On the other hand, the evidence uncovered by Inquiry Commissioner Justice Cecil Kennard unquestionably associates this accused official with extensive criminal corruption for which Guyanese expect him to be held accountable. From the perspective of good governance, the President and his administration score full marks for effort, and will doubtlessly pursue (Continued on page 5)
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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION MUST COME AFTER ATONEMENT DEAR EDITOR, I have read the letter by Robin Singh, (December, 2018). I cannot from where I stand and from what I have experienced support any suggestion of a reconciliation commission, when Robin Singh’s letter in its posture exhibits the very presumptuous dishonesty on matters that are still alive in the dreams of many of us today. One must first embrace an era in totality regardless of how uncomfortable that process is, and not in selective self serving extracts. Atonement and reconciliation is a process in reference to populations and not to the sinister architects who perpetrated with cold calculative intentions, facilitating mass murder and marginalisation along racial lines, creating an atmosphere that some lives are to be sacrificed on some political cultic altar as in the latter days with the assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing who was shot three times to the head and twice to the body. The emergence of the ‘Fine Man gang’ is late in the events that envelop what has to be taken into full analysis in the context of our recent
history of the Roger KhanJagdeo tragedy. Atonement is the ancient prototype of the truth and reconciliation idea. It constitutes the ritual sacrifice of animals over a period. Yes, it revolves around a blood sacrifice, perceived by the ancients as a cleansing rite. The 20th century translation of Atonement evolved with the trials at Nuremberg post 1945 and is today further modified at The Hague International Criminal court. Reconciliation exists between populations; in our situation, the constituencies of the major political parties, but is not extended to the political architects who conspired to murder, marginalise, cultivate hatreds, and as correctly defined by Freddie Kissoon, to practice Ideological racism and damage the values of a nation, traumatising a perceived opposition constituency for their own political existence. The first victim of this racist innate practice was a coconut seller on Mandela Avenue who was randomly shot by newly appointed PPP ministerial guards early in 1993. His crime was his ethnicity. By 1996 we were protesting
by the multitude for the murder of Jermaine Wilkinson. During that period I visited the office of Desmond Hoyte and insisted that he come to Albouystown. The above the Law ‘Death Squad,’ the era of extra-judicial killings and the criminalisation of the GPF had commenced, with a severe bias. This is proven true when in 1997 the GNCB bank at Anna Regina was robbed and a young policeman Richard Faikall fought them off singlehandedly and lost his life. The Black clothes were told to stand down because at the head of the Bank robber gang was the known PPP assassin ‘ Dougla Alfred’ Tulsi Persaud among others. How does anyone tell the relatives of the Lindo Creek massacre to forgive on some superficial pretext? How do you tell the mothers of sons never allowed to bury their children to forgive the high official who George ‘Bumbalay’ Bacchus said on 28 TV had instructed them, meaning he, the informant, and his government death squad colleagues, not to throw the ‘bodies they murdered all over the place.’
Granger’s anti-corruption net... From page 4 the prosecution this person to the full extent of the law. President Granger’s approach to corruption stands in stark contrast to that of former President Ramotar, who, under pressure, commissioned the creation of SOCU with enough legal loopholes in its operational guidelines that were used to facilitate criminally accused members of his Government effectively escaping the noose of the law. Public morality has been offended by the fact that sus-
pected and accused corrupt persons under the previous administration have eluded justice. So far President Granger’s administration has demonstrated its commitment to rooting out corruption in the public domain, regardless of political party affiliation of the perpetrators.
This is the only way that Guyanese and the international community can regain confidence in our Governmental institutions that are essential to the greatness of Guyana. Phyllis J. Jordan Caretaker-Councillor – Constituency 4
Many of the people killed like the Baker brothers were not criminals but citizens with civil contentions with people who had money to pay the death squad members and their affiliates, to commit murder because the State had facilitated this platform. As a citizen I hold the
APNU-AFC accountable, especially when I hear the Leader of the PPP and Leslie Ramsammy, and those people who have damaged this country so much, pretending not to be the twisted demented people they are, masquerading a facade of normalcy. Its tantamount to witnessing
Adolf Eichmann as part of the Government of Israel or as an opinion maker of that state. Yes, this nation needs to be cleansed, but not through a Reconciliation Commission, but through our courts and the Hague Court of crimes against Humanity. Barrington Braithwaite
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No guarantee that a privatized system will provide better service than a Government operated one
THE PERSECUTION CONTINUES
DEAR EDITOR, In the December 14 issue of KN, it stated that MOPH gets strategic support to boost procurement capabilities from its international partners that will use a supply chain maturity framework as a measure of success. The framework outlines five levels from Canvas to Accredited and in between, there are Bronze, Silver and Gold. The accredited level requires that our health supply chain system becomes privatized or at minimum, a competitive process of public private partnership (PPP). On this substantive point, it is important to note that there is no guarantee a privatized system will provide better service than a Government operated system. In the world today, the best healthcare systems are managed under
Government control, with the most notable being Cuba, Canada and the Scandinavian region. Also, this framework has not determined whether Guyana’s unique conditions would allow such a framework to effectively improve the supply chain system. Currently, there are medicines being stored in a bottom house, a decision made by the very leaders of the MOPH who are currently creating the impression that they are striving for excellence. The PPP Government never allowed medicines to be stored in such conditions to put the public’s health at risk. Prior to 2015, there was in place, a standard equivalent to the gold level; however it was downgraded to a lower level after this Government took over. Therefore, the strategic support that now pre-
sents itself is simply a means to correct this Governments’ incompetence on many levels. A Government operated health supply chain system has already proven to be successful; the only question that remains is whether we have the right government to manage it. What we truly need is strong and visionary leadership in the healthcare system that understands how to implement a supply chain system to meet Guyana’s unique conditions. We should not be measured by a framework that lacks the flexibility to recognize our needs as a country. Our success must be measure foremost by the availability of medicines and supplies through the development of a system that’s organic to our needs and can be effectively managed by the Government. For far too long we have been receiving consultants who write and copy and paste long policies and guidelines that become ineffective as soon as the consultant leaves. It is unfortunate that this Government did not have the foresight and will to build on the success that the previous Government built in the health sector. Malcolm Watkins, MS OL, CSCP.
DEAR EDITOR, The US House of Representatives said on December 12 that it “condemns” the Iranian government’s longstanding persecution of the Baha’is in Iran – the country’s largest religious minority. It was the 18th time that the House has passed a resolution on the situation of Iran’s Baha’i community since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The House resolution also called on the president and the secretary of state to “immediately condemn” Iran’s treatment of the Baha’is and to impose new sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are “directly responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against the Baha’i community.” The resolution, which passed unanimously, was introduced by eight Members of Congress and co-sponsored by 132 more, 54 of whom are Republicans and 78 of whom are Democrats. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who introduced the resolution, said that “Iran’s Baha’i community is a frequent target of the regime’s human rights abuses and are subject to arbitrary arrest and harassment, denial of employment and the destruction of cemeteries and holy places.” She called the resolution a “strong message of support” for the Baha’is
and other persecuted groups in Iran. US legislators noted that more than 90 Baha’is are currently in jail – approximately 850 have been arbitrarily detained since 1979, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom – and they called on the Iranian government to release all Baha’is and others imprisoned “solely on account of their religion.” Other findings, drawn largely from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom as well as the reports of the UN Special Rapporteurs on the situation of human rights in Iran and on freedom of religion or belief, statements by the UN Secretary General and by the Baha’i International Community, which represents the Baha’is at the United Nations, detail the litany of systematic abuses suffered by Iranian Baha’is. The resolution notes that Iran’s government sees the Baha’is as “heretics” and executed more than 200 of them in the years after the 1979 Revolution. Religious minorities, especially the Baha’is suffer “societal discrimination” and “personal harassment”; Baha’i blood may be “spilled with impunity”; uni-
versities are “required” to exclude or expel any Baha’i students; and in a wave of economic discrimination, and there are reports that even private businesses have been “pressured to refuse employment to Baha’is,” while the government routinely shutters Baha’i-owned businesses. The US resolution also observed that, according to the Baha’i International Community, there has been a recent surge in “anti-Baha’i hate propaganda” in Iran’s staterun media. The years 2010 and 2011 saw about 22 anti-Baha’i articles appear in the media each month; in 2014, it was about 400 such articles a month; and by 2016, the number of anti-Baha’i pieces in the media had shot up to 1,500 a month. Congressman Ted Deutch, a key co-sponsor of the resolution, said that “the House is sending a strong and unified message that we condemn the Iranian regime’s religious persecution and human rights violations … We’re also calling on the administration to take serious action against those responsible.” Yours Respectfully, Rooplall Dudhnath
Tobacco tax-Insecticides and the Peeper’s opinion DEAR EDITOR, I take umbrage to a missive by Peeping Tom, “Pesticides, tobacco and social cohesion” in KN, Nov 30th. The peeper sought to criticize the Government’s approach on relinquishing the VAT on pesticides and increasing the tax on cigarettes by asserting that pesticides have a more devastating effect on the population, than tobacco. The Peeper failed to give consideration to the fact that cigarette smoking is an act of choice, leading to probably addiction, while the use of pesticides by farmer is an act of necessity. While I disagree with the Government’s approach to Tobacco, I do not support the Peeper’s concept that Insecticides should be taxed because they are being used as a mode for suicide, resulting in more fatalities than tobacco. The irony of the Government’s approach to Tobacco, is that while they would have people believe that they want smokers to stop smoking, they still expect to collect massive revenues on tobacco. This is akin to throwing your cake away while you still need it! What’s the point of stopping the sale of loose cigarettes and small packs? A smoker who can’t
afford a large pack, costing $400, may gravitate to a bag of cannabis at $200. How does the government collect a tax on that? Their (Govt’s deranged logic keeps showing up in everything they do! In our seemingly biblical last days scenario, the attack on crops by insects has increased. All Guyanese farmers will attest to this. Given the high price of insecticide, no farmer would use pesticide on their crop unless they are certain that their crop is threatened by insects. The objective is to save their crop and like in any other business, to reduce the cost of production. Alternatively, herbicides are used by farmers to reduce cost too. It is clear the Peeper has little or no knowledge of farming. While chemicals may have damaging effects on farmers and the environment due to contact and residual effects respectively. Where is the scientific cost effective alternative to replace them? Should a farmer stand and watch his crop being decimated by insects and not use insecticides to save it? The Peeper wrote. “Pesticides are no friend of farmers.” If a product can save your crops from decimation by a swarm (Continued on page 7)
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Budget 2019 will not address the instances of mismanagement and corruption DEAR EDITOR, As a Guyanese who has struggled most of his life-time trying to lift himself from an impoverished upbringing during the Burnham era, I would have thought that at the twilight of my life I would not be witnessing the harsh social and economic conditions I had experienced during those dark days being meted out to this young generation of Guyanese. During the 23 years of PPP governance I saw this Nation being lifted out from the quagmire of socio-economic decay and brought to prosperity. However, it seems that Guyanese like myself, have traversed the full circle! When I looked at the thousands of qualified young persons who are jobless I conclude that it is not because Guyana cannot afford them one but simply because this Government is bent on ‘robbing’ them of a good life which is quite achievable if the political honesty and will to do so are present. The four Budgets presented since 2015 have expended over $ 1 trillion but conservatively nearly 25% would have been unaccounted for, mismanaged and stolen! If the full value for
money was achieved then Guyanese would have been guaranteed this elusive ‘good life’ mantra. When this Government took over in 2015, they presented their first Budget which spoke loftily about the corruption under the previous PPP/C Government and there were 4 subsections dealing with good governance. These were: Forensic Audits and Asset Recovery, Accounting System, Internal Auditing and External Auditing. At this time, the Finance Minister, Mr Winston Jordan attempted to convince Guyanese that, ‘the Government is committed to governing in a transparent, efficient, inclusive and decisive manner, paying due regard to respecting and upholding the rule of law and the rights of all the citizens of Guyana. The Government will seek to re-establish the pillars and tenets of good governance by placing particular emphasis on the strengthening of governance institutions’ and he further stated that, ‘The Government believes that we need to throw open the doors of public bodies so that they can become more accountable. This will help to deliver
Tobacco tax-Insecticides... From page 6 of rampaging insects, I think it would be ungrateful not to acknowledge that product as a friend. History is laden with examples where insects had destroyed crops, causing starvation of large populations before the advent of insecticide. The present budgetary move by the government to remove the vat on pesticide and herbicide would be viewed by farmers as a positive help to reduce their cost of production. The Peeper wrote, “More people die each year in Guyana from pesticide and weedicide poisoning each year than from the effects of cigarette smoking.” While that is the truth from a statistical point of view- the peeper’s comparative analysis to smoking is flawed and misleading in context. Is the Peeper suggesting that the prevalence of pesticides and weedicides in our domain, the reason for our high suicide rate? Surely! The Peeper should know that the prevalence of suicide in our society has a deeper socio-economic rooting. Moreover! Pesticides/weedicides, are the means, not the cause of suicide. Take the chemicals away and hanging becomes the next means. Do we then ask the Govt to place a high tax on ropes to reduce suicides? Rudolph Singh
better value for money in public spending’. He had then lambasted the previous Government about, ‘allegations and evidence of corruption and bad governance’. He miserably failed in this quest since the ‘doors of public bodies’ are now open to unprecedented corruption! However, he grossly underestimated the acumen of the Guyanese people. His whitewashing which has now become his trademark delivery did not fool anyone since just three weeks after being in office they gave themselves increase in travelling allowances a few months later they had given themselves over 50% salary increases so at arrest the temptation to raid and pillage the treasury! But alas! Exactly the opposite happened. This undeserved increase was accompanied by massive squandermania and thievery- an innate characteristic of the PNC. This definitely was not in the First 100 Days Plan in the Coalition’s manifesto! However, in the succeeding years the Finance Minister in his Budget presentation
saw it fit to increasingly pay less emphasis on forensic audits and asset recovery, the accounting system, internal auditing and external auditing. He became like the proverbial ostrich and silently denied that these even exist, and more urgently now than ever before a dire need for these. He now wants to convince Guyanese that there is now a high level transparency and accountability. However, the Auditor General’s Report 2017 and the 2019 Budget debate exposed the skyrocketed levels of corruption and naked undiluted thievery which now exists at all levels of Government. In the Finance Minister’s 2016 Budget speech he admitted to ‘acts of dishonesty and duplicity, mismanagement of resources, opaqueness of transactions and a disregard for basic internal controls, among others…absence or non-existence of functioning Internal Audit Departments. The Audits identified many instances where the laws governing the entities and their operations were violated with impunity, in particular the Fiscal Management and Ac-
countability Act and the Procurement Act’. Unfortunately, this horrendously sad state of affairs have permeated and eaten at each and every stratum of Government agencies and departments. It now appears as though there is a ‘license to steal’! The Auditor General’s Report 2017 has confirmed this and yet in the 2019 Budget Speech there is no material plan to ensure that the $300.7 billion will result in value for money for the masses which will now have to bear a huge tax burden of $199.5 billion an increase of $28.3 billion more than 2017, an average increase of 23% in withholding, excise, income and value-added taxes! It is now conclusive that Budget 2019 will not address the hordes of instances of mismanagement, allegedly fraudulent and corrupt transactions highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report as the national budgets continue to haemorrhage uncontrollably due to the lack of transparency and accountability. This Coalition Government wants us to believe that corruption no longer exists!
In conclusion, Minister Jordan himself gave a vivid account of Guyanese expectations in his 2019 Budget speech. He stated that when ‘one contemplates the transformation of Guyana’s economy, one conjures up many images of our future. At a minimum, one thinks of every family being able to afford a healthy lifestyle, with all the basic needs of sustenance, shelter and education being met, and all this being achieved within sustainable communities, where environmental responsibility and personal safety are paramount. Together, these images combine to create a desirable collage, and that is just the beginning’. However, he failed to deliver this ‘desirable collage’ not only through his poor budgetary allocations but by his willful neglect to adequately address the deficiencies in the internal auditing and control systems to ensure that Guyanese can have value for money! The transparency and accountability mantra is now dead! Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf (RDC Councilor- Region 6)
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Guyana without a single completed policy or modernized legislation for oil sector
Three years later …
By Kiana Wilburg To ensure Guyana is able to transform its oil wealth into a blessing, the coalition administration promised, since 2015, that a number of polices would be developed, and sector specific laws updated and drafted where necessary. But after three years of making this commitment, not a single policy has been completed or a piece of legislation updated. Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, had noted some months ago that all matters (inclusive of policy and legislative reviews) relating to the oil sector would be dealt with by the Energy Department which is headed by Dr. Mark Bynoe. When contacted on the issue at hand, Dr. Bynoe acknowledged that indeed, many of the promised policies are incomplete and it is highly unlikely that this position would change before or on December 31, 2018. He noted that there are some policies which citizens can expect to be completed for 2019. The Energy Department head said that this is the case with the Local Content Policy. Dr. Bynoe said that the document was the subject of several rounds of consultations. He said it is nearing the final stage and a positive result can be expected in the new fiscal year. As for the modernization of Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Laws/Regulations, Dr. Bynoe noted that his office is working with the EPA on several matters but before there could be any
Minister of State, Joseph Harmon update to the laws and regulations, a needs assessment will be completed. Dr. Bynoe asserted that a consultant is being hired for this job. As for the other laws and policies, the Energy Department head said these will be done after the Department conducts a review of the ex-
Energy Dept. Head, Dr. Mark Bynoe
isting legislative framework in an effort to identify the gaps that need to be addressed immediately, in the medium term and in the long term. This review is currently underway. He opined that with such a review, a more informative approach can be taken to craft the robust pri-
mary and supplementary policy and legislative instruments needed for the sector. The revisions are expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2019. CHATHAM HOUSE ADVISES If Guyana intends to be successful with the gover-
POLICIES/LEGISLATION NEEDED FOR GUYANA’S OIL SECTOR 1. National Oil and Gas (Upstream) policy 2. Local Content Policy 3. Modernization of Petroleum Exploration and Production Legislation; and accompanying Regulations 4. Petroleum Commission Bill 5. Petroleum Taxation and Fiscal Legislation 6. Sovereign Wealth Fund Legislation in the National Assembly 7. National Oil Spill Response Plan 8.Depletion Policy 9.Beneficial Ownership Policy/Guidelines 10.Modernization of EPA Laws/Regulations 11.Citizenship Participation Fund Legislation 12.Petroleum Health & Safety Regulations
nance of its oil sector, it must ensure that there are clear oil related policies and systems to ensure accountability of the oil wealth to come. This was recently noted by Chatham House, an international transparency body that helps countries with the governance of their extractive sectors. The London-based body recommended that policies for the oil and gas sector be guided by a clear vision for the development of the country and a strategic view of how the petroleum sector will deliver that vision. Speaking to other guidelines, Chatham House warned that the rush to adopt international best practices may not always be appropriate in the case of emerging producers in the oil and gas sector. Instead, Chatham House said that the government should aim for more appropriate practices, taking account of the national context.
STATUS Incomplete Nearing finalization Incomplete Still stuck in Special Select Committee Incomplete Bill recently tabled Incomplete Yet to start Yet to start Yet to start Incomplete Incomplete
Chatham House said, “In order to attract the most qualified oil company to a country with an unproven resource base, the host government can invest in geological data, strengthen its prequalification criteria and ensure transparency. It should also plan for success and anticipate the implications of hydrocarbon discoveries in its tax code, and be robust through declining oil and gas prices.” As for the aspect of licensing, Chatham House said that this is a key mechanism whereby government can reap early revenues and maximize long-term national benefits. It said that Government must ensure that it simplifies both negotiations and tax structures to mitigate knowledge asymmetries with oil companies.It said, too, that the government and industry must engage and share information with communities to manage local expectations regarding the petroleum sector and build trust. “In emerging producers, budgets for local content may be small and timelines for building capacity short. In this context, the focus should be on the potential for repeat use of any local capacity developed. Additionally, meaningful participation of national organizations in resource development is a central objective of many emerging producers.” The international body said that once the aforementioned are followed, Guyana would be well on its way to laying a strong foundation for the protection of the oil sector.
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PPP wants Govt to tap Islamic Bank envelope to revive Amaila Falls Hydropower Project
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ember of the Op position, Irfaan Ali, has said that it would be in the country’s best interests for the government to propose the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project to the Islamic Development Bank for funding. During questioning for approval of expenditures for the budget of the Ministry of Finance, Ali made the proposal to ““Minister Wi n s t o n J o r d a n F r i d a y last. The Bank had made a US$900M resource envelope of grants and loans available to Guyana, to fund multiple developmental projects, for the period 2018-2020. Guyana has since taken a loan of US$20M to fund Guyana Power and Light (GPL)’s infrastructural upgrades. For those upgrades, the disbursement of funds will start in 2019. Ali said that it would be beneficial to seek funding from the remaining US$880M towards the controversial Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
Asked whether the government would propose the project to the Islamic Bank, the Finance Minister said, “I can’t say that we’ll be putting that any time soon to the Islamic Development Bank.” Jordan said that the resource envelope isn’t a fund that Guyana currently controls, nor is it financing that Guyana can just take. He explained that the government must find projects that are feasible and workable to propose to the bank, whose framers have strict regulatory requirements for its finance recipients. He said that the projects considered in the government’s estimates do not include the Amaila falls project, and that the government is committed only to making proposals for bankable projects. Earlier this year, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, had said that the government had not removed the Amaila Falls project from the table. Though the government had voiced its concern and disappointment with the project, it
A photo showing a completely dry waterway at Amaila Falls
was still something that the government was planning to consider, since there are hydrologist studies there to determine whether there is an adequate supply of water to generate what is needed to produce electricity. The deliberations on the
DEM BOYS SEH
Every MP should drown in de river Nuff people seh instead of giving a politician the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks. Don’t trust him inside anything you got. That is wha dem boys seh. Keep yuh eyes and ears pun these politicians but keep you mouth close because dem might creep inside deh too. Trust dem boys on this one. Dem got two type of politicians; some stupid and de others corrupt. De corrupt ones will sell out Guyana with everybody inside for a few dollars. Exxon seh by 2019 dem ready fuh pump up oil and Guyana ain’t even got a piece of PVC pipe in hand, or a bucket to fetch water much less oil. Three years done and Guyana ain’t even ready wid a few security guards fuh protect oil property. Dem politicians busy sharing money according to de budget. Dem
give to this place and that place. Just imagine dem give de army US$65 million and de Energy Department wha got fuh hire special auditors to mek sure Exxon and de rest of dem don’t shaft us, who have to hire experts to negotiate with Exxon get US$2 million. Now wah US$2 million can do?? Dem boys seh de Mofos should do it de odda way around- give de army US$2 million and de Energy Department US$65 million fuh put proppa Laws, measures and systems in place before oil start to come up. That is to protect de country. Guess what we have nutting in place yet. Is that penny wise and pound foolish??? Na! na! Dem boys don’t want to believe that. Everybody children and grandchildren future wealth is at stake and all some of dem thinking is about dem pock-
ets. Dem boys want to know, Who does wait till dem ready fuh s**t then run fuh build toilet?? Yes this is exactly what is playing out here in Guyana with this crop of leaders. In fact it is worse than that. It’s not only s**t but them have nutting in place, not even toilet paper fuh wipe. Because of how dem operating dem boys believe de world would be a nicer place if every MP tek a chill pill. It would be even better if some of them choke on it. That is how dem had a quiz in school last week. What happens if a politician drowns in a river? One child seh, “That is pollution.” What happens if all of them drown? De whole class seh “That is de solution ...!!!” Talk half and that will be de solution to Guyana oil problems.
project had come to a standstill in 2013, when members of the National Assembly did not vote in favour of certain features of the project as it was presented by its main sponsor, Sithe Global, a USbased investor in the international energy market. The Government of Guyana, represented by the
Minister of Finance and the Minister of Natural Resources and the Government of Norway, represented by the Minister of Climate and Environment had decided at a meeting in Paris in December 2015 to perform “an objective and facts-based” assessment of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project.
The project was heavily pushed by the last two administrations of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) but ran into trouble early, specifically problems with the access roads to the Amaila Falls dam site in Region Eight. The roads collapsed in many parts and the contractor was fired. Costs ran from US$15M to US$40M. The US$900M-plus price tag for the 165 megawatts project was seen as too costly, with criticisms over the technical readiness of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. to take the power. There were also questions over whether the dam would actually be able to sustain the promised p o w e r, w i t h o n e p h o t o even showing the waterways dry. For Budget 2019, the Ministry of Finance put aside $37M as Guyana’s capital contribution to the Islamic Bank, as part of its obligation as a member of the bank. Guyana joined the Islamic Development Bank in March of 2016.
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Govt. allows ExxonMobil to guess its way with environmental work “I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT DESPITE MY REQUESTS AT THE SCOPING MEETING IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR FOR THE MOST BASIC ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN THAT WE ARE ENDING THE YEAR ALMOST AS WE HAVE STARTED OTHER THAN SOME PLATITUDES ABOUT INTENTION”—ENVIRONMENTALIST, ANNETTE ARJOON
E
xxonMobil is still to carry out real evalu ations about how its operations offshore Guyana can impact the environment and possibly bring great harm to locals. Even more alarming, the company is yet to even meet with Guyana’s indigenous people living in areas within Region One. These people are most likely to be affected. Nevertheless, the government and
its agencies continue to give full support to the oil giant. Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon remains concerned about this reality. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News yesterday, Arjoon recalled that she highlighted the need for more work to be done by ExxonMobil since the beginning of 2018. She said that it is quite unfortunate that just about a year has passed and things remain the same.
Arjoon said that in January 2018, there was an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scoping meeting at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel. ExxonMobil’s main principals were present and also made presentations on Liza Phase 2. Arjoon recalled that during the question and answer segment, she listed several concerns which included that there had been no stakeholders’ consultations with the
Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon (right) with a colleague at the recent Blue Economy Conference in Kenya communities in Region One. Arjoon said that at the forum, she made mention of the fact that Guyana’s only coastal protected area—the Shell Beach Protected Area— exists in Region One and ExxonMobil’s own oil spill modeling had shown its North Western tip would be impacted in the event of an oil spill reaching the shoreline. Arjoon told this newspaper, “I also made it clear that the several ‘demonstrations’ on oil spill response which were being held at Splashmin’s on the glasslike surface of their manmade lake was the polar opposite of the
dynamic conditions in the Atlantic Ocean off Shell Beach.” The Environmentalist recommended that there should be several well planned and meaningful consultations with the communities in Region 1 and even identified the primary communities of Smith’s Creek, Morawhanna, Kachikamo, St Johns, Lower Waini and Almond Beach. “These are the communities that would be most impacted in the event of an oil spill I asked that the consultations and training should commence with them.” Arjoon said that she asked that fit for purpose equipment be deployed within the region
where the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Coast Guard has a presence in Mabaruma; and, Morawhanna respectively and our GPF off the Waini Point.Nevertheless, Arjoon said that other than a very short visit to Mabaruma in early February for the scoping meeting required by the EPA which was immediately followed by another meeting referred to as an oil spill consultation, there has been no further activity specific to oil spill awareness, capacity to respond nor drills in a fit for purpose environment. She said that (Continued on page 12)
Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
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Sunday December 16, 2018
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Attorney General’s Chambers Weapons, wine boast of winning high profile discovered in Lusignan cases Prison
It has definitely been a good year for the Attorney General’s chambers when it comes to litigation. Recently, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs boasted about the State winning several high profile cases. He even provided statistics to prove the successes. According to Williams, in the Court of Appeal, in the case of Zulfikar Mustapha v The Attorney General, the Court upheld President David Granger’s decision to appoint retired Justice James Patterson to the office of Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, (GECOM) as constitutional. He said that in the case of Bibi Safora Shaddick v the Minister of Communities and Chief Elections Officer, the High Court threw out the action which attempted to prevent the holding of the November 12, Local Government Elections (LGE). Williams reminded that at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), in the case of the Attorney General of
Guyana v Cedric Richardson, the Court upheld that Presidential term limits were valid. The CCJ by a majority decision, allowed the appeal, set aside the orders of the courts below and declared that Section 2 of the Constitution (Amendment) (No 4) Act of 2000 was a constitutional amendment to Article 90 of the Constitution of Guyana having been validly enacted. “We also won Guyana Stores Limited v the Attorney General of Guyana, the Revenue Authority and the Commissioner General of the Revenue Authority, where the CCJ held that there had been no violation of the Company’s constitutional right to protection from deprivation of property. “It further held that the two per cent minimum corporation tax was not a loan because the State does not repay the taxpayer nor does the taxpayer have any right to repayment or redemption. Instead under section 10A the taxpayer gets a credit, if and
when the stated conditions are met, and may then apply that credit in reduction of its tax liability but the taxpayer is never entitled to repayment,” Williams said. Another, he noted, was the case of Sattie Basdeo v Guyana Sugar Corporation Limited, Noel Holder and the Attorney General of Guyana case, where the CCJ affirmed the position taken by then Acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang, who pointed out that “consultation does not mean agreement with the views expressed by a consultant or with those consulted”. The AG chambers also won the Sharmella Inderjali v DPP (Marcus Bisram case) where the CCJ held that Bisram must stand trial for murder. The CCJ dismissed an application made on behalf of Bisram for an urgent hearing of a challenge to a local judge’s refusal to discontinue the charge against him. Fourteen matters were filed by the Attorney General in the CCJ for the period 1st January to 3rd December, 2018.
Police and Prison Officers conducted a twohour search of Holding Bays 1, 2 and 3 of the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara and found prohibited items. Among the items discovered were 44 improvised weapons, eight chargers, three bottles wine, six lighters, three cellular phones, one pack bamboo , two cell phones batteries, one phone display, $40, one smoking utensil, 11 razor blades and 20 nails.
The items found in the Lusignan Prison
Govt. allows ExxonMobil to guess... From page 10 there were visits by two local consulting companies for specific corrective environmental activities which were found to be deficient in the Liza 1 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and were mandated by EPA. Arjoon said, “I am extremely concerned that despite my requests at the scoping meeting in the beginning of this year for the most basic actions to be taken, that we are ending the year almost as we have started other than some platitudes about intention.” She continued, “I believe in actions speaking for themselves where these still outstanding consultations and training in Region One are concerned. As a matter of fact, I had also advised that the Amerindian People’s Associa-
tion has decades of experience, vast networks and capacity in Region 1 to partner in the consultations.” However, Arjoon said that from her last check, the Association was never contacted. The Environmentalist said, “I have just returned from the inaugural Blue Economy Conference in Kenya thanks to the support of Canada, Japan and the UNDP and the exposure has strengthened my resolve to increase my advocacy for the necessary safeguards and protection of our marine environment and the coastal communities whose livelihoods are interlinked with its well being.” Furthermore, Arjoon pointed out that Guyana is less than two years to first oil but the national oil spill con-
Industry resident found with police badges, ammo, and ganja arrested An Industry, East Coast Demerara, resident is in custody after he was found with 14 live rounds of ammunition, a pair of metal handcuffs, two police metal cap badges, four cell phones, six small Ziploc bags with cannabis and a cannabis plant. It was reported that police, acting on information, went to the man’s residence around 15:00 last Friday where they carried out a search in his presence which unearthed the articles mention above. “The owner of the property who claimed knowledge of everything is in custody assisting with the investigation,” The police are continuing their investigations into this development.
The items found by the police
tingency plan remains a draft as it has been for almost two years. Arjoon said, “The completion of this would be when the real hard work starts to ensure there is capacity for compliance. I am particularly disturbed at the ratings of impacts on our marine life in Exxon’s Liza 2 EIA which in most cases are negligible or moderate.” She continued, “My reason being that there has been no research of these resources so what baseline is being used? How can we measure impact in the absence of a baseline? Furthermore, how can we value what we know nothing of? “How can we manage or monitor what we have not yet measured? In the absence of answers and corrective actions I wish to advocate that the two indigenous communities at the beginning and end of our Shell Beach Protected Area namely the Almond Beach and Fathers Beach be immediately engaged as their traditional knowledge of their resources can be a starting point to build a baseline of the 100 km stretch of coastline which is protected. To build their capacity in community monitoring could be an achievement we can report on by the end of 2019 a few months away from first oil and all it will bring.”
Sunday December 16, 2018
Baby crushed by fuel truck
A toddler has become the third child to die after he was crushed by a motor vehicle. Dead is 15 months old Terrence Antonio Wilson of Lot 7 Zeelugt Housing Scheme, who was reportedly crushed by a truck in front of his yard. This publication understands that the accident occurred around 6:00 am on the Zeelugt Access Road in the area. Motor lorry GVV 368 driven by Ibraheem Gafar was reportedly selling cylinders of cooking gas and kerosene when it stopped at the dwelling place of the child. The toddler’s grandfather reportedly exited the yard to buy a portion of kerosene when the child supposedly unknowing to anyone ventured out the yard
While driving off the truck reportedly hit baby Wilson. The child’s head was crushed by the left back wheel of the truck. When the grandfather was questioned he stated that the child was allegedly left sleeping in his mother’s room. The child’s grandmother explained that he was obese and that his grandfather would usually take him out in the morning to run (exercise). However, on the morning of the incident the child was left “sleeping” as the grandfather went to buy kerosene. The woman explained that “everyone was still in bed. It was really early and everything happened so quickly.” She further stated that the child was probably looking
Cop beaten in night club, firearm stolen A young policeman is nursing a broken limb and other injuries after a group of men assaulted him and stole his service pistol. The incident occurred around 01.00 hrs in a night club in Second Street, Alberttown premises. A release stated that the rank, who sustained injuries to his hands, head and stomach, is in a stable condition. Attempts are being made to recover the firearm and apprehend the suspects, one of whom is known to the police.
Dead: Terrence Wilson
body was pulled from the waters and examined by a rank for possible marks of violence but none was seen. The body was then escorted to the Skeldon Public Hospital where it was certified dead by a doctor. It was subsequently e s c o r t e d t o B a i l e y ’s Funeral home awaiting identification followed by an autopsy. Investigations are in progress.
Merrill Lynch in talks with Govt. to manage oil money
for his grandfather so that they could have gone on their usual morning routine. The driver of the truck has been taken into police custody to assist with ongoing investigations. This was recorded as the third fatal accident over the past six days: the first being Police Sergeant Joseph Elton Ambrose who was the victim of an accident on the Herstelling Public Road on
Sunday night last and succumbed on Thursday last. The second victim was Karchan Khemraj, 15, of Annandale who died on Monday last after being hit by a bus. And the most recent before the toddler was 16year-old Clay Docton Skybar of Mahdia who died as a result of a collision between a pick-up and a motor lorry and trailer.
The recipients from the twelve organisations flanked by Mr. Vikash Panday, Executive Director of P&P, and Ms. Vijaya Panday. organizations receiving a $100,000 each, making a total donation of $1M. However, this year, Mr. Vikash Panday, Executive Director of P&P Insurance Brokers, said that the number of organizations will be increased from ten to 12 with the addition of the Tina Insanally Foundation and the Bal Nivas Shelter. The donations increased from $100,000 to $125,000
Unidentifiable body of a male found floating The body of an unidentifiable male was yesterday about 15:40 hrs found floating at Black Water Koker, Crabwood Creek, Upper Corentyne, Berbice. According to information received, an anonymous caller called the Springlands Police Station and reported there was a body of East Indian decent floating in the creek. Shortly after, ranks ventured to the area and the
P&P Insurance Brokers ups Annual Donation to 12 organisations
P&P Insurance Brokers held its annual presentation function on Friday, 14th at its new office located at 272/273 Lamaha Street, North C u m m i n g s b u r g , Georgetown. At the Presentation function 12 Organisations were each given a monetary donation. The presentation this year differed in two respects. Last year, there were 10
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making a total donation this year $1.5M. Mr Panday said that P&P was very happy to be making these presentations as it represented one of the core values of P&P and that is to give back and assist the community. He wished everyone present a happy holiday season. The twelve organizations that received the cheques
from Ms. Vijaya Panday were Bless the Children Home; Canaan Children Home; Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre; Uncle Eddie’s Home; Friends of the Archer’s Home; The Dharm Shala; David Rose School for the Handicapped; Cheshire Homes Guyana; Hauraruni Girls Home; Bright Horizon Family Home; Tina Insanally Foundation and Bal Nivas Shelter.
(From page 3) years ago. "The settlement primarily relates to conduct that occurred as long as 10 years ago," the Bank told CNBC in an email. "At all times we met our obligation to deliver the best prices to clients. About five years ago, we addressed the issues concerning communicating to clients about where their trades were executed." (https:// w w w. u p i . c o m / B a n k - o f America-Merrill-Lynchagrees-to-pay-NY-42-millionfine-for-fraud/7851521905381/ ) SEC INVESTIGATES SWF DEALS The Securities and Exchange Commission in 2011also launched an investigation to examine whether American financial firms violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in their efforts to secure investments from foreign governments’ investment funds. The agency sent letters to several firms asking them to preserve documents, though it is only in the early stages of its inquiry. At the heart of the inquiry were the huge investments made by sovereign wealth funds in American financial firms in recent years. Citigroup, Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch all sought capital injections from these government investment funds, raising billions of dollars in capital to shore up their balance sheets. (https:// dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/ 01/13/s-e-c-looking-intodeals-with-sovereign-funds/)
ANOTHER FRAUD CASE Last June, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that it will be fining Merrill Lynch, US$5.2 million. The fine stems from deals involving residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and the broker-deal will also have to pay back $10.5 million to customers. Over the course of its investigation, the SEC found that Merrill Lynch had lied to its customers regarding the pricing of RMBS. Traders and salespeople working for the firm were able to convince customers to overpay for the securities by lying about how much they had paid for them. On top of this, the same traders and salespeople massively overcharged for commissions. The SEC noted that, in some cases, they received double what they should have. Merrill Lynch will be charged as these traders and salespeople violated antifraud securities laws. The SEC found that the company did not fulfill its supervisory duties and was therefore unable to prevent the lawbreaking from occurring. The company did not admit or deny any of the investigation’s findings. Instead, it agreed to pay a $5.2 million fine to the SEC and pay back $10.5 million to the customers involved in the fraudulent transactions. (https:// www.financemagnates.com/ institutional-forex/regulation/ merrill-lynch-pay-back-10-million-securities-fraud/)
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Jagdeo’s Queenstown property rented to oil consultants
The Queenstown property linked to former president, Bharrat Jagdeo
A Queenstown property which was acquired to house a foundation controlled by former President Bharrat Jagdeo, is now involved in renting office spaces. And one of those clients is involved in the oil and gas business. The Lot 300 New Garden Street, Queenstown property was acquired in December 2013 by Jagdeo, two years after he ended his constitutional two terms in office. According to the Official Gazette, dated December 7, 2013, he acquired the double lot from Brian James, a businessman who has interests in Auto Supplies. James was also the local partner for Haier, the company that won the contract to supply computers for the troubled One Laptop Per Family
www.coworkguyana.com for additional information.” So said Qaasim O.B. Shittu, Chief Executive Officer of Mayson Blackhouse, the oil & gas investment, parentcompany behind Co-Work Guyana. It so happens that Jackson, the Honorary Consul, is also Chief Operating Officer and Partner of Mayson Blackhouse. He is quoted in the article as saying “Our flexible spaces also come with flexible terms for those businesses that prefer not to enter into long-term lease agreements; they can sign up for monthto-month membership. We’re delighted to deliver a globally-proven model of affordable, flexible, well-organized, work space to the Guyanese
Former president, Bharrat Jagdeo
programme. It is unclear how much was paid to James by Jagdeo to acquire the properties. The building was renovated and the Bharrat Jagdeo Foundation was housed there. There is little known about the work of the foundation. What is known is that the Consulate for Switzerland is housed in the foundation’s building now.The Consul General is Dean Jackson. In recent days, it was announced that another business, Co-work Guyana, has launched a number of dedicated, private office space. An interview with dailytelescope.com said that “this unique co-working environment features shared, dedicated and private office spaces in a charming threestorey colonial building with distinctive, modern interiordesign elements. The office is sitting on a gated, ¼+acre lot with interior and street parking. Potential members are invited to take a tour and try the facilities for free. Please visit
market.”Co-Work Guyana said it is featuring a cleverly composed floor plan created to bolster worker productivity in a collaborative setting. “The space is flexible, including scalable and interconnecting offices, fullyequipped conference rooms, and outdoor working areas. By providing office furniture, printing center services, highspeed Wi-Fi, and administrative/concierge services, businesses save capital by keeping overhead minimal, while maintaining their primary focus on their core operations,” the report said. Co-Work boasted that the new office is located in the Queenstown area of central Georgetown defined by the beautiful colonial buildings and proximity to the Botanical Gardens, Guyana National Zoo, and Georgetown Cricket Club. With ExxonMobil to start oil production in less than 18 months in its offshore concessions, there has been huge interest by companies, investing in properties and offering other services relating to the oil and gas industry.
Sunday December 16, 2018
Police ‘stop and search’ leads to 24 arrests Several operations conducted by members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has led to the arrest of 24 persons for various criminal offences. The operations were conducted in ‘B’ Division (Berbice) and ‘D’ Division, West Demerara/ East Bank Essequibo. The Police in a statement noted that during a five-hour cordon and search operation in the No.1, 2 and 3 SubDivisions of Berbice they arrested 16 men for robbery under arms, rape, possession of two grams of cannabis, 15 grams of
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Kaieteur News A music box found during the police operation in ‘B’ Division
cocaine, break and enter and larceny and unlawful possession of an outboard engine. They also found an Acer laptop, three music boxes, and an assortment of other items.Meanwhile Police in ‘D’ Division last Friday conducted a three-hour operation in the villages of Pouderoyen, Samaroo Dam and Vreed-enHoop where eight persons were arrested for narcotics possession, being found on a premise where narcotics offenses and break and enter and larceny. They are being processed for court.
Local Gov’t Commission still deliberating on COI recommendations The Local Government Commission (LGC) is still deliberating on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. Chairman of the LGC, Mortimer Mingo, told Kaieteur News that the Commission is looking at 31 recommendations contained in the report. “We are taking a serious look at these recommenda-
tions and categorizing accordingly,” he said noting that the in addition to administrative matters, the recommendations for criminal investigation is being given serious consideration. Mingo noted that while the public will be anxiously awaiting LGC to act on the recommendations, the process will take some time. “We will keep the public informed as we go along, “he
added During scrutiny of the 2019 budgetary allocations Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, told the National Assembly that Government will allow the Local Government Commission (LGC) to work unhindered on the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into City Hall. “They are the ones who (Continued on page 72)
A quantity of marijuana found in ‘D’ Division
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Sunday December 16, 2018
His worst nightmare: Trump’s life under a legal microscope CNN - Weeks of devastating legal revelations have left Donald Trump’s political career clouded by criminality and his life, presidency and business empire under assault by relentless prosecutors on multiple fronts. Days of court filings, flipped witnesses, damaging disclosures and sentencing hearings over the last month have delivered blows that appear to expose Trump and key associates to deep legal and political jeopardy. But the head-spinning volume of material being churned out by special counsel Robert Mueller and other jurisdictions often also blurs the bigger picture of a presidency beset by a span of scandal that is staggering in its breadth. Simply put, Trump’s campaign, transition, inaugural committee and presidency are now under active criminal investigation. His business — the Trump Organization — and his defunct charity — The Trump Foundation are also under investigation (the charity investigation is a civil one). His college — Trump University — has already been deemed a fraud. The President himself has been indirectly fingered by New York prosecutors overseen by his own Justice Department of directing criminal attempts to subvert campaign finance laws. Then there is a civil lawsuit brought by Democraticled states rooted in claims that Trump’s refusal to fully dis-
engage from his businesses means he is using his position to profit from deals in his hotel chain that contravene the Constitution. The many layers of investigation are about to get even more comprehensive, with multiple committees in the new Democratic House launching oversight into Trump’s personal finances, political operation and White House next year. Many of those who chose to align themselves with Trump have meanwhile fallen foul of the law, sometimes for offenses unrelated to the President but which have offered prosecutors a window into his own conduct. His former campaign chairman Paul Manafort is in jail. His former attorney and “fixer” Michael Cohen is headed behind bars next year. His deputy campaign chairman Rick Gates is now a confessed felon. George Papadopoulos, a former member of his foreign policy advisory board, just got out of jail after flipping. His former national security adviser Michael Flynn may only avoid prison after turning on his former boss. Questions continue to swirl around Trump’s longtime political adviser Roger Stone among other things about what he knew when asked about Wikileaks email dumps. And people even closer to Trump, such as his son Don Jr. and son-in-law Jared Kushner, cannot be sure they are in the clear al-
US President, Donald Trump though all, including the President, profess innocence and downplay Mueller’s investigation. Yet Mueller’s success in securing plea deals from the likes of Flynn, Gates and Cohen is adding to the President’s apparent legal peril. In one of the more surreal twists of the Trump presidency, there is a conversation going in Washington about how Trump might have to win re-election to outrun a statute of limitations on campaign finance allegations. This trail of dishonesty and deceit is evident even before Mueller has delivered what could ultimately be his most explosive findings — whether he has found evidence that the President’s campaign cooperated with Russia and whether he obstructed justice in the firing of former FBI chief James Comey and a bid to thwart Mueller. A scandal-ridden presidency A full assessment of the depth of Trump’s political and
legal predicament may only become clear next year. But the President has already expressed concern, according to CNN reporting, that he could be impeached. But even if all the investigations stopped now and he was cleared of all wrongdoing, Trump would still be remembered for presiding over one of the most scandal-ridden presidencies of modern history. Trump and his supporters maintain that there is no smoking gun and that the President’s problems all stem from rogue prosecutors from the “deep state” that has always hated Trump. The President’s cheerleaders on conservative channels meanwhile take up his cry that the democratic will of voters is at risk of being besmirched by a “fake news” media that is hostile towards him. “Nobody but for me would be looked at like this. Nobody,” Trump said in a Fox News interview this week, referring to claims he told Cohen to pay off women who claimed affairs with him to
avoid hurting his campaign. Trump’s counselor Kellyanne Conway insisted to CNN’s Chris Cuomo on Thursday that Trump’s presumed foes in the media were willfully ignoring his arguments that he did not break the law. “It’s important and credible to the rest of the country, except for the people so blinded by their hatred toward him or their wishful thinking that he won’t be President if they just close their eyes and click their heels three times,” she said. “Get over it.” Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani is offering the defense that Cohen should not be believed because he is a convicted liar. Yet, the growing pile of evidence from Mueller and other prosecutors is rendering the denials of culpability from Trump and his supporters less credible. As more damaging details emerge, Trump is indulging in his habitual practice of abandoning a position that has become untenable and constructing a new reality that better suits him. Once for instance, Trump denied that he knew about hush payments worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now, he says he didn’t tell Cohen to break the law. “As a lawyer, Michael has great liability to me!” Trump tweeted on Thursday. But the narrative that Cohen is a liar so Trump is in the clear ignores crucial details of Mueller’s filings. Corroboration The special counsel has made clear in court documents that he has corroboration for claims by his cooperating witness Cohen. The President’s fixer also said as much on Friday. “There is a substantial amount of information that they possessed that corroborates the fact that I am telling the truth,” Cohen said in an interview with ABC News. Trump’s repeated mantra of “no collusion” with the Russians is also looking increasingly threadbare. There were multiple contacts between Trump’s associates and Russians during the campaign and transition — at least 16 according to CNN’s reporting. And many of those associates have since lied about the interactions, giving the impression that they are trying to cover something up. The President’s claims that he had nothing to do with Russia have been undermined by revelations in the Cohen case that he was pursuing a potentially lucrative deal to build a luxury tower in Moscow until deep into a campaign that was simultaneously the target of a med-
dling effort by the Kremlin’s spies. And Mueller is clearly probing whether there is a nexus between Trump’s business ventures and Russia’s election interference. In a sentencing memo earlier this month, he wrote that the Trump Tower project “occurred at a time of sustained efforts by the Russian government to interfere with the US presidential election.” It is, of course, possible that all of these Trump associates were operating outside the knowledge of the President. Statements in documents filed by Mueller and other jurisdictions are prosecutorial in nature and may not reveal mitigating circumstances that Trump could use in his defense It is unclear at this point whether the US attorney’s office in the Southern District of New York would be able to prove that Trump knowingly asked Cohen to break campaign finance laws. But the idea that Trump knew nothing — about Russia attempts to infiltrate his campaign, about hush payments or other key aspects of cases in which is involved — appears unlikely, given his omnipotent role in his inner circle. And he has already proven to have lied, if Mueller is to be believed, about key aspects of the Russia investigation and his interaction with Cohen. Still, many legal experts believe that if wrongdoing is found, the President is immune from prosecution owing to his unique constitutional position. If his only transgression does turn out to be on campaign finance, it seems unlikely that Democrats in the House will risk an impeachment process based on charges that may fall short of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”So far, Trump’s firewall of Republican support in the Senate, where any subsequent impeachment trial would take place is standing firm. Whether that would start crumbling should Mueller produce a damning report that causes a fracturing of Trump’s political power base as an election approaches in 2020 remains untested. While much has been learned about the President’s legal exposure in recent days, the true extent of his liability remains to be seen. For now, however, it’s clear: the President’s legal and political position is far more perilous than it was weeks ago and he has reason to be worried about a flurry of investigations that are digging deep into his private, personal, business and political life.
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The case of the executed pastor By Michael Jordan It was Sunday night, December 2nd, 2007, and four members of the Prophecy One Deliverance Ministry were gathered in the church, located at Lot 45 Hadfield Street, Lodge. Among them were 41year-old church leader/pastor Ian David, his fiancée, Kendra Dalrymple, his adopted daughter, Shondell Williams, and Williams’ husband, Pastor Alwyn Williams. The congregation had already left and the small gathering was counting the night’s offerings. It was then that a stranger entered the open western door. The man was wearing a cap, he had a rag around the lower portion of his face, and he was carrying a gun. ”All o’ y’all lie down on the ground,” the gunman said. It must be a prank, Shondell Williams thought. Some church member is pulling one on us. But when the man with the gun repeated his order, she realized that he meant business. All of the church members immediately lay face down on the floor; everyone, that is,
except Pastor David. He was backing the door when the man entered. But on hearing the command, Pastor David turned to the stranger. Some of the eyewitnesses would later reflect that the man of God appeared to recognize the gunman. “The blood of Jesus,” the pastor said, still standing. He then began to speak “in tongues”. This appeared to infuriate the gunman, who responded by hitting the pastor on the head. This silenced Pastor David, who joined his members on the floor. After ensuring that no one else was in the building, the gunman began to rummage through his victim’s bags and pockets. He removed $35,000 from Shondell Williams’ bag, and a gold bracelet she was wearing; $17,000 from her husband’s wallet, and a substantial sum of cash that Pastor David was carrying in the event of an emergency. The gunman then collected all his victims’ cell phones and switched them off. He’s leaving now, Shondell Williams thought. But then, inexplicably, the
man walked over to Pastor David’s fiancée, Kendra Dalrymple. He placed a chair on her head. Two gunshots then rang out in the church, followed by silence. Williams could feel her heart pounding as she lay on the floor. Those shots were not in the air, she thought. A human being was shot! Several minutes passed before the small gathering was certain that the gunman had left. Eventually, they scrambled to their feet, only to be greeted by a horrifying sight. Pastor Ian David lay face down and motionless on the floor in a gathering pool of blood. Williams immediately ran outside and raised an alarm. A nearby resident transported the injured pastor to the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was accompanied by his fiancée and other church members, who prayed for his recovery. But at 01:45 hrs on Monday, December 3rd, 2007, doctors announced that Pastor Ian David was dead. An autopsy revealed that he had been shot at close range in the back of the head and between the shoulder
Pastor Ian David blades with a .32 pistol. Crime scene detectives recovered two .32 shells from the scene. Investigators soon concluded that robbery was not the gunman’s primary motive. All evidence suggested that the pastor was the victim of an execution-style killing. They began to look into the victim’s background. Detectives learned that Pastor David had moved out of his matrimonial home six months before he was murdered. He had divorced and had intended to get married in February 2008. Information
reaching the detectives suggested that jealousy over the relationship could have led someone to pay a hit-man to kill the pastor. All investigations suggested that the killer was a professional, since he had appeared to be unhurried and unflustered during the entire ordeal. Acting on this information, investigators questioned the pastor’s ex-wife, but learned nothing that could assist them in their case. Ballistic tests on the recovered .32 shells failed to help them trace the murder
weapon. Reflecting on that fateful night one year later, his adopted daughter, Shondell Williams said that she still had no idea why anyone would have wanted to kill her father. But she remembered some puzzling things that caused her to wonder whether her father somehow knew of his fate. Mrs. Williams revealed that her father had appointed her to be Assistant Pastor, and placed her in charge of the church for a month. She also recalled that on the fateful night, Pastor David shook the hands of several members of his congregation and informed them that he was “passing on the mantle”. And she suspects that her father knew the gunman’s identity. Mrs. Williams and her husband subsequently took over the operations of the church. But she said that at first, several church members were afraid to return, and some even left the congregation. However, many later returned. And she was convinced that the man who committed the brazen execution will eventually face justice in a higher court. If you have any further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 2258458, 225-8465, 225-8473, or 225-8491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan on :6452447, or via his email address: kamarangnight@gmail.com
Sunday December 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Is Aurora company’s beef policy, a violation of Guyana’s copyright law? It is not only ignorance but sad intellectual paucity when a post-colonial citizen cannot understand who controls trade, power, the global media and the world’s resources. One hopes that the only two advocates – Barrington Brtaithwaite and Abiola Inniss – who keep lamenting the lack of copyright law in Guyana, would have at least seen glimpses of some of the questions asked of Google’s CEO at the Senate hearing in the US last week. And would have read some of the insightful analyses of the global control companies like Facebook and other Silicone Valley powerhouses have over Planet Earth. I am somewhat optimistic about Guyana. It seems that people must have reflected on who stands to benefit from copyright legislation in Guyana and what disadvantages Guyanese face in having copyright law, because only these two Guyanese are obsessed with having a copyright law here. Maybe Guyanese are coming around to understand that we came here as slaves and indentured servants and none of the countries that brutalized us have shown any compassion.
Those who argue for copyright law must be compelled by the people of this country to read about the Windrush scandal. It is one of the most heinous acts committed in the past two hundred years against postcolonial people of the Caribbean by the UK, the country that brought slavery to Guyana. Most of the victims were descendants of slavery right here in the Caribbean. Sadly some of them died before their illegal deportation from the UK could have been reversed. I remind Braithwaite and Inniss, the Windrush scandal occurred just one year ago. Slavery, no one will dispute, is the worst uncivilized digression that ever occurred in human history. Second to that in my opinion is the Holocaust. But there have been different forms of compensation for holocaust survivors. None for the descendants of slavery. Certain countries enslaved us. Those countries still dominate us through trade and resource exploitation. But some Guyanese want Guyana to have copyright law that would stop a descendant of slavery from
selling a bogus Adidas pair of joggers on Regent Street pavement, because it is wrong to do that to Adidas. As if the world’s billion-dollar brand name companies observe copyright laws in human labour when they exploit poor Bangladeshi and Guatemalan workers. So Guyanese found out last week, through the revelation of the Minister of Agriculture, that the Aurora gold mining company imports its own beef because it wants certain types of sliced cuts that are up to international standards. But is it the international standard or it is exploitation? The UK stopped our greenheart wood, because they say its production is in violation of good forestry policy. And remember our gilbakka export was stopped too by the US, citing international standards. The countries that exploited us for centuries still keep us down and some misguided souls cannot contextualize copyright legislation in Guyana and how it would affect the economy of a poor country that billion-dollar companies in Europe, the US and China
couldn’t be bothered about. Braithwaite wants copyright law to protect what he referred to in his letter as the “innovative soul” of Guyanese. I know Barry a very long time, so I will abstain from further criticism, but I ask the question; Barry, where has Guyana’s innovative soul been the past eighty years? I hope Barry isn’t confusing two adjectives that sound similar – “innovative” and “innocuous.” Dr. Inniss certainly has made all those who read her response raise their eyes in total disbelief. She answered my claim of people having a colonial mentality with these words; “I was born some time after Guyana became a republic.” Do you get her drift? She is not a colonial brainwashing victim because she was born after colonialism left Guyana. I am so stunned at that ignorance about how colonial penetration works, that I think I don’t know how to reply. Dr. Inniss said she is schooled in international property law of which I don’t know anything about. She is right. But I was schooled in
an area of knowledge that makes me understand how international property law operates in the context of global domination of former slave-owning countries over their former colonial subjects more than Dr Inniss could ever conceive. That area is called international political economy. When you understand cultural, political and financial domination of the world by huge powerful economies then you will understand that copyright law
Frederick Kissoon is not in the interest of a small country like Guyana. One question – do Braithwaite and Inniss think our beef is too bad for the managers of the Aurora company to eat?
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
Victory for the coalition is assured During the general debate on the 2019 National Budget, Prime Minister and Party Elder Statesman, Moses Nagamootoo, stated that for the 2020 elections, victory for the APNU+AFC coalition is assured. He debunked fake claims that the AFC had been decimated in Whim at the 2018 LGE, and had become “dead meat”. The truth tells a very different story. At the 2016 Local Government Elections, the APNU+AFC coalition fielded a single candidate in Whim. She polled 31 votes. In 2018, AFC contested independently. AFC got 62 votes – which is a 100% increase! This tiny party, AFC, has made in-roads into the PPP’s ethnic fortress. The statistics are unlike the performance of the PPP. The PPP had claimed victory in Buxton, but what are the facts? In Constituency 2 (Buxton – Friendship, ECD), in the First-Past-The-Post contest, APNU secured 1,336; AFC -103, and PPP/C
got zero. Where were the 20 backers who the PPP claimed, had supported their candidate? Prime Minister Nagamootoo pointed to foul campaigning by the PPP in Wakenaam where, at Rush Brook/Maria Johanna, they presented signatures of dead and fake backers. Similar claims have been made with regards to Mabaruma and Hosororo, where there have been fake voters and abuse of the proxy procedure, both of which are being investigated by the Elections Commission. The PM went on to say, “I had until now remained silent on the wicked allegations (made by the PPP) about Whim, but silence does not mean surrender! Let us look at the true strength of the AFC. The AFC fielded full slates in 4 municipalities – Georgetown, Linden, Mahdia and Mabaruma; and in 3 NDCs - Bloomfield/Whim, Mocha/Arcadia and Diamond/Grove. Total votes cast: 43,295. APNU won 24,881 or
57.46%; PPP - 13,106 or 30.27%; andAFC - 4,964 or 11.40%. The AFC had complained about the various acts perpetrated by the PPP which amounted to political threats and terrorism. An attempt was even made to burn down the house of an AFC candidate, and there were claims that voters were bribed. The PPP then went on to claim that the AFC received only 4% of total votes cast. But, even the Stabroek News which has appeared to unleash a negative campaign against the AFC, wrote that the party won 8,719 votes in 27 constituencies, which is 8% of votes, counting those constituencies only. We don’t accept the 4% myth, but in Guyana’s political arena, even the 4% is enough to keep the PPP out of government. Opposition MP, Mr. Croal, cited figures to show that the PPP had won a “landslide”, but our figures show the following:PPP secured 122,307; PNC 68,060; AFC 8,719, and Others 2,995. They fooled their supporters saying that the LGE was a Referendum, and that they should vote to throw the Coalition out. Out of 572,531 persons on the national register, only 208,534 turned out (36%). It is clear that the PPP failed to motivate its own supporters to come out and vote.
They boast that PPP got 61 percent of votes cast, but let’s fit this into the national elections context: On the basis of the registered voters of 585,727 for the 2015 General Elections, the PPP would have secured only 20.8 percent. On the basis of 71 percent turnout of 415,970 voters at those elections, the PPP would have secured 29.4 percent. So where is this landslide? The PPP is fooling its supporters, and it knows this. Yes, Coalition supporters also did not turn out and there is any number of reasons for this. The PPP did not hold Local Government Elections since 1994, or 20 years ago, and our people had lost interest. They seem to have developed apathy and appear to have little to no interest in these elections to choose their community leaders. However, the Opposition is not doing themselves or their supporters any favours by trying to label this apathy as acquiescence. From all appearances, by the time 2020 elections come around, so much would have changed that it would tell a different story. We are confident that our people will rally around their Government that is truly a caring Government. The Guyanese population will be ready to stand up and fight for victory.
Sunday December 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
My column
I am stressed out; I need help On occasions too numerous to mention, I would hear people say that they cannot afford to take on stress. Of course, it was not until recently that the word ‘stress’ entered my lexicon. As a boy growing up I could not recall any moment when I heard my mother talk about being stressed out. She would say that she was fed up or that she was under pressure, but never did I hear her say that she was stressed. And so it was that I grew up not knowing anything about stress. These days, it is so different. Everybody is stressed. The word has even been attached to people. I would hear young women describing an individual as being “sheer stress’. Even I am stressing myself, albeit with no serious consequences. The root of my stress is the West Indies cricket team. I am an avid fan. I have been with this team for years. I have been with them from the days when they were England’s whipping boys. Then that changed in 1963. West Indies cricket had arrived. Yes; we lost a few matches, but we also won a lot. I remember when we won the Cricket World Cup in 1975. I have a photograph holding the trophy when
Clive Lloyd and the boys brought it to Bartica. We got a whipping later that year and into the next when Australia drubbed us 5-1. Then came the glory days. We beat all and sundry at home and away. We won more than we lost. There was no television, but radios brought us everything. I was happy and I knew nothing about stress. There were some disappointments, but I knew that the West Indies would bounce right back. Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland were nowhere in the picture. Sri Lanka was just making an appearance. India was there, but we always beat them. So too was Pakistan. One can now imagine my stress that Bangladesh, a team that the world once said was not ready for international cricket, is beating the stuffing out of the once glorious West Indies. I remember when Bangladesh came to the region and played against a second string West Indies team. They won that series, but we took a Test match off them. They came back when Brian Lara was captain. The first match was drawn. Lara was so incensed that he said that he would resign the captaincy if his team did not whip Bangladesh in the next. He did.
I remember South Africa coming here to play their first Test match following their re-entry to the Test scene. Barbados’ Kensington Oval was almost empty. West Indies seemed to be meandering toward defeat when the former masters, among them Vivian Richards, saying that the young players seemed not to have sense of history. We went on to win. So here I am watching every Tom, Dick and Harry Lall beating the stuffing out of West Indies. Last year we hammered Bangladesh in the Tests, but lost to them in the One-day series. That was when I began to understand stress. So here we are in Bangladesh, losing as though that is our nature. What has happened to West Indies cricket? Many things. The best players came into conflict with the cricket Board and opted to ply their trade anywhere they could for a bright payday. The Board chopped and changed the up and coming players until there is nothing left to chop. Last week I spoke about the advent of the smart phone and its influence on young people. They no longer need
to play cricket to have an enjoyable time. The result is that I have to watch my team being beaten by everybody. Just recently they could not even win the qualifying tournament against Afghanistan. In fact, they had to enter the qualifying tournament to get into the Cricket World Cup next year. And when they qualified, barely, there were smiles as though the team had landed on the moon. One view is that West Indies does not have a cricketing programme, the likes of which exist in England, Australia and India. Even the local clubs are lacking. They have fallen from cricket clubs to bat and ball clubs, the likes of which existed when I was a little boy and when people went to see the matches for entertainment. More recently, West Indies have been playing to empty stands, because people have walked away.
They can do without the stress of paying good money to see their team beaten like schoolboys. The captains and coaches are always saying that the team is turning the corner. It has to be a very long corner. Perhaps they mean that the team is turning the corner that would take them away from cricket. Last week, I spent tortuous hours hoping for the best and could have ended up in hospital from all the stress that had built up inside me. Friends would say to me that I have time to waste following the team. And indeed, I know many who have simply found other things to do than watch West Indies play. It is a sad reflection of what a once great team has become. But I love cricket. I have been watching India play Australia and on my phone, I have been watching New Zealand play Sri Lanka. Even now as I look back
Adam Harris A. A. at the woeful West Indies, some things come to mind. There was the Pakistani supporter who died as soon as his team won a match or it might have been a World Cup. He was in the grips of tension all the way. When the team won all he could say was “God is great”. Then he died. I remember when New York won the Stanley Cup, the pinnacle of ice hockey back in 1994. A fan proclaimed that he could now die happy. He had been waiting for 58 years. I don’t have 58 years left.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
“Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life” (Excerpts from a statement in support of Budget 2019 by Hon. Ronald Bulkan MP) Budget 2019 is crafted to create the enabling economic environment to promote growth and development, to deliver the goods and services to our citizens while addressing the challenges inherited by this government. It aims to expand economic opportunities for our business sector, create employment, empower our citizens; and address those priorities which are seen to offer better results to transform the lives of our citizens. Budget 2019 contains very progressive policy measures; in support of our Green Agenda, there are incentives for companies utilizing alternate energy technologies; we have increased the income tax threshold to $780,000 meaning that a person earning this much pays zero income tax, a 30 percent increase in the threshold, since the Coalition
Government came to office; the minimum wage, increasing it for public servants to $64,200. up from $39,000, a 61% increase in a mere two and a half years! We have offered salary increases to all public servants, we have catered to our youth, we continue to build the infrastructure in the critical sectors of education, health and public security. Amid all the noise emanating from the purveyors of doom, we are quietly empowering people. The theme of Budget 2019, “Transforming the Economy, Empowering People, Building Sustainable Communities for the Good Life” encapsulates the vision of this government, a vision which we have never shied away from, that an empowered nation, an empowered people, is critical to advancing national development, building
cohesion, transforming the economy and affording the needed opportunities for sustainable communities and a good life. It is a vision which views equal opportunities and collective welfare benefits as inextricably linked to sustainable community building and national development. This government has been steadfast in its commitment to transforming the lives of our citizens. We have not wavered in that commitment and we will never waver. Similarly, we have committed to the strategic, meaningful and constitutional role of embedding local democracy in our national development. Our constitution lays great emphasis on the involvement of people in the task of managing their communities and developing the areas in which they live. In particular, it envisages people
being involved in the day-today decision-making processes which affect their daily lives. [Arts. 71, 74 & 75] The holding of Local Government Elections in 2018 – the first-time consecutive elections were held in our post-independence historyas lawfully due- removes any uncertainty about the primacy of local democracy, and reinforces our commitment to democratic renewal at the local level. An APNU+AFC government will not deny the citizens of this country the right to elect their local leaders and to play a meaningful role in the sustainable development of their communities. No more odious IMCs! This renewal has seen the emergence of a 27-year old as Chief Citizen of our Capital City - Georgetown. It has also resulted in the election of a 22-year old as the Chairman of the Beterverwagting/Triumph NDC. The Mayor of Bartica is a young man…. large numbers of our newly-elected councillors are below the age of 35. Young leaders are appearing all across the country, building critical human and leadership capital to safeguard Guyana’s future. This bears testimony to the administration’s commitment to youth empowerment,
inclusivity, promoting diversity and entrenching democratic governance; thanks to the vision of President Granger and the investments made in every one of our five budgets. This is an integral part of the “sustainability” that this Budget speaks of, but there is a saying that there is none so blind as those who do not wish to see. My attention was drawn to an article published on Friday November 3, 2018 - titled “Govt … weakening democracy... The article which quotes extensively from statements made by an overseas NGO -The International Centre for Democracy - accuses the Government of not having intentions for “strengthening democracy in Guyana … of weakening the democratic fabric … of an assault on democracy!” Our action, however speaks for itself and it nails the propaganda being peddled. It is within this context and the related public policy that the Ministry of Communities has, since its establishment, focused on rebuilding the institution and capacities of the local government system (LGS) to enable the efficient, effective and sustainable provision of services countrywide.
Budget 2019 further reflects the Motto of the Ministry - Building Cohesive, Empowered and Sustainable Communities. It provides for sustainable local government as a critical partner in national development, and the continued strategic support of rebuilding the LGS. These priority areas include but are not limited to; community participation, institutional strengthening and capacity building, financial security and funding of councils and regional development; in addition to our core sectors of housing, water and sanitation for the delivery of a ‘community experience’. Budget 2019 caters to increase access to affordable housing units and increased occupancy, particularly within infrastructural underdeveloped schemes (another deformed project inherited from the previous administration), which requires considerable resources to rectify; to make habitable and suitable to our citizens. Of particular pride to us is the Hinterland Housing Programme where a large number of households in the Barima/Waini and Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo Regions have benefitted from housing subsidies by way of core homes and roof replacements. (to be continued)
Sunday December 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Illness anxiety disorder: You aren’t sick; it’s just your mind By Dr Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Illness anxiety disorder is a persistent fear of having a grave medical illness. A person with this disorder pays excessive attention to health. He or she can become easily alarmed by anything that might be interpreted as a sign of illness, including normal sensations, bodily functions and mild symptoms. For them, such experiences may signal an illness with a grim outcome. For example, a person may fear that the normal sounds of digestion, sweating or a mark on the skin may be indicators of life-threatening disease. Today we will discuss this condition, because it is increasing in numbers and its sufferers cannot be convinced otherwise. WHAT IS IT? It is a mental condition where the affected person usually does not have physical symptoms, or if symptoms are present, they are mild. A person with illness anxiety disorder may be especially concerned about a particular organ system, such as the cardiac or digestive system. A doctor’s reassurance and even a complete medical evaluation often will not calm the person’s fears. Or, if it does calm them, other worries may emerge later. Patients may admit the possibility that their fears are exaggerated. However, they may not accept being told that there is “noth-
ing wrong.” In severe forms of this disorder, a person may go from doctor to doctor, looking for one that will confirm a feared illness. The patient and the doctors may become frustrated or angry. The pattern sometimes interferes with the person getting proper care, if he or she develops a medical illness for which there is a known and effective treatment. Some people with this disorder have had a significant illness in the past, for example, during childhood. Often illness anxiety disorder starts in young adulthood and can last many years. But it can occur at any age. Symptoms may become more intense after a stressful event, such as the death of a loved one. Although medical illnesses are uncomfortable, they can bring benefits, such as relief from responsibilities along with the attention and care of family members, friends and doctors. Illness anxiety disorder may be motivated by these advantages, although the individual is often not aware of that motivation. Less often, a person may fake illness to seek some obvious gain, such as getting a drug or a financial benefit, or avoiding some work or legal responsibility. In cases where someone is consciously seeking such advantages, the condition is called malingering. But illness anxiety disorder is not malin-
gering. In illness anxiety disorder, the patient is not pretending. He or she believes there is a real danger of becoming ill and truly feels anxious. WHATARE SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS ANXIETY DISORDER? Symptoms of illness anxiety disorder include: · Preoccupation with having or developing a serious illness · Absence of physical symptoms or, if present, symptoms are mild · Behaviour indicating health anxiety, such as checking for signs of illness · Easy alarm about medical problems; persistent fear despite medical reassurance · Overuse or underuse medical care. · Absence of delusions or psychosis · Very distressed HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED? The diagnosis is based on a person’s medical complaints and history, plus a doctor’s physical examination and laboratory tests. The disorder may be accompanied by severe anxiety symptoms or obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Patients often refuse to see a psychiatrist because they feel they are being deemed as “mad”. It is not the case, but psychiatrists are the experts who can best help their worrying mind. ARE THERETREATMENT OPTIONS? Some people with illness anxiety may have their con-
cerns because they are suffering from depression, anxiety or a psychotic disorder. Doctors would usually explore those possibilities, and target them for treatment as needed. The symptoms of illness anxiety disorder may be relieved by an antidepressant even when no other psychiatric illness is present. There is evidence that a number of therapies can help people with illness anxiety disorder: cognitive therapy, behaviour therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and stress management. Therapists teach distraction and relaxation techniques and help patients focus less on their symptoms and talk instead about how stress, anxiety and depression increase their psychological discomfort. Therapists explain that
many of the actions patients take to try to relieve anxiety usually backfire. Feeling for lumps, reading about illness or otherwise scanning for illness makes symptoms worse not better. Since the medical complaints may never go away, a doctor may set up a regular schedule of short appointments, during which symptoms can be reviewed. This can help contain anxiety. On the other hand, anxiety may get worse if a doctor attempts to limit contact and treats the patient dismissively. HOW DOES IT PROGRESS? Some patients respond well to medication, psychotherapy or both. If the person has anxiety or depression that responds to treatment with medication, the prognosis can be quite good. In mild cases, symptoms can be
Dr. Zulfikar Bux short-lived. If the symptoms are severe and the person has other mental health disorders, the person may be susceptible to chronic distress and have problems functioning. If you have been doctor shopping and are not sure what’s going on with you or a relative, ask your doctor about illness anxiety disorder to ensure that it’s not the cause of your worry.
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SUNDAY First Oil likely by next year; Guyana far from ready – Energy Dept gets US$2 million to prep for US$4 billion project Guyana’s journey to first oil may be even shorter than anticipated. According to Attorneyat-law, Charles Ramson, ExxonMobil is moving ahead of schedule in its preparation. However, “our government continues to pussyfoot. This reality tells Guyanese all they need to know about their future under the rule of the APNU+AFC over an oil producing country.” During an interview with this newspaper, Ramson, who has a Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Management, indicated that he has been keeping up to date with the pace of development for Liza Phase one. Ramson said that the pace of the project development could very well see oil production commencing toward the last quarter of 2019 instead of March 2020 as originally targeted. He said, “The project development is going well and is currently running ahead of schedule.” According to Ramson, the Floating Production Storage and Offloading unit (FPSO) being constructed in Singapore is likely to be completed by the middle of next year. It will then take about six weeks to get to Guyana. Once that is in place and functioning, it is virtually smooth sailing onwards, said Ramson. Ramson said that it is all well and good that ExxonMobil is “on the ball”. ”No one can blame the company for that; I mean it is not called an oil giant for nothing. But, the He continued, “I am a politician, so, most likely many will see my statements here as being political but oil is beyond politics; it will determine our future and the government ought to have been far more prepared knowing the possibilities of first oil being next year. Ramson was keen to point out that none of the government Ministers spoke extensively about oil and gas during the recently concluded National Budget Debate. Ramson recalled that the Ministry of the Presidency is now responsible for oil and gas as it has control of the Department of Energy. But, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, did not touch on oil and gas production preparation during his contribution to the Budget Debate. Further, Ramson said that
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
the government allocated only $400M for the entire 2019 for the Energy Department. ”The department was given $400M for both capital and current expenditure. That is US$2M. The Liza phase one project is US$4.4B. How are we to adequately prepare as a country, given all that is needed to be done, with that paltry sum? Town Clerk fails to justify lease of Govt. reserve Embattled Town Clerk, Royston King, has not provided a promised response to the Commission of Inquiry on the lease of a portion of Government reserve along Aubrey Barker Road, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown. King when he appeared before the CoI into the management of City Hall, had promised to make a written submission on the deal, which came to light in late October when documents surfaced with payments made directly to him for the property. The CoI final report notes that King did not provide the information as he promised. King had admitted knowing the owners of a mining company, who claim to have made payments directly to him to lease the land in question. Chairman of the CoI, Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard, had asked King during his appearance if he knew the names Ingrid and Brian Chase. King in his response stated that the names ‘ring a bell.’ Kennard indicated to King that he was inquiring about the matter since a copy of a letter and other supporting documents from the Chases addressed to City Mayor Patricia Chase-Green was sent to the CoI. ”Mr. Chairman, could I ask to perhaps do something in writing to you on that particular matter? I am now briefing myself on that particular issue,” King had stated. King has been implicated in a highly suspicious deal where he reportedly collected $6.8M from Brian and Ingrid Chase Mining and Trucking for the sale of lands identified as Government reserve. King is accused of diverting the monies from the land deal through his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) and then attempting to cover his tracks by issuing a backdated lease for the property when he became Town Clerk. The land is located along Aubrey Barker Road, North Ruimveldt. Payment started in 2013 while King was serving as the Public Relations Officer of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC).
MONDAY After three years in office …APNU+AFC fails to deliver on promise for Investigative Commission on Corruption The APU+AFC Party had promised the nation that within 100 days of being in office, it would have accomplished several things, one of which is the establishment of an Investigative Commission on Corruption. But after being in office for more than three years, the Commission is far from being in place. This point was recently raised by Ram and McRae Chartered Accountants in their comprehensive review of budget 2019. The accounting firm said in its report that when it comes to the issue of corruption, the coalition administration has delivered much less than it has promised. It said that the government’s failure to establish the Investigative Commission on Corruption is an outstanding example of this. Further to this, the accounting firm said that procurement remains another area of serious concern as the
Government has failed to make the necessary legislative changes to the Procurement Act to strengthen the role and effectiveness of the Procurement Commission and to remove the overriding influence of Cabinet in the procurement process. With no changes to the legislative framework, Ram and McRae said that the procurement process remains not only suspect, but tainted and facilitative of manipulation and corruption. The accounting firm said, too, that the signs that the Government was not as intent on dealing with corruption as it had promised were there in the wasteful and unaccounted billion dollar expenditure on the construction of a Stadium at Homestretch Avenue. PM not powerless, cannot blame Parliamentary Committee for Constitutional Reform delays – Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is not powerless and therefore cannot blame the Parliamentary Committee for the delays in Constitu-
tional Reform. This is the position held by Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran. In one of his recent columns on the matter, Ramkarran stated that under the Constitution of Guyana, Nagamootoo as the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly has the authority to instruct the Attorney General, (AG) Basil Williams to convene a meeting of committee to deal with the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill, which is essential to the process of constitutional reform. Prime Minister Nagamootoo had previously blamed the committee tasked with considering the Bill for the delays. Nagamootoo had stated that the Bill was referred to the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee two years ago but the Committee has only met once. ”They were supposed to look at it and report back to the National Assembly. I don’t know where the Bill is; I have asked the Attorney General and he said that the Committee met once. ”I have never heard any
calls, not even from the Opposition, for this committee to meet and without the Commission, there can be no Constitutional Reform,” Nagamootoo had said. However, in his opinion piece over the weekend, Ramkarran noted that if a Bill in the PM’s name is before the Standing Committee for Constitutional Reform, and there is a delay in considering it, Nagamootoo cannot pass the buck. ”He cannot blame the Committee. As Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, he has the authority to direct AG Basil Williams to convene a meeting of the Committee to consider the Bill. If he needs help, the Prime Minister can invoke the assistance of the Cabinet or of the President. If the Prime Minister is unwilling to take such steps, he has to take responsibility, rather than appealing to the public for understanding,” Ramkarran asserted Additionally, the writer reminded that the coalition government’s core manifesto proposals were for constitutional reform. Hence, (Continued on page 33)
Sunday December 16, 2018
From page 32 Ramkarran said that Nagamootoo explanation can be viewed as nothing but an attempt to shelf his responsibility. Although Government has been widely criticized for the delays in bringing about Constitutional Reform, Nagamootoo had blamed the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reform for the holdup. Man wrongfully imprisoned for armed robbery finally freed -but where is the real accused? Desmond Junior Lewis will have a good Christmas after all. Crime Chief Lyndon Alves confirmed that Lewis was released from the Lusignan Prison on the advice of the Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Police said that the OPR had established that the 36year-old was mistakenly jailed for six-years, in the place of 19-year-old robbery accused Junior Lewis. Mr. Lewis has already served almost two months of the six-year sentence. Information suggests that his family will be taking legal action. The real accused, whose sentence was handed down in his absence, remains at large. Desmond Junior Lewis was jailed on October 18, last, after police arrested him in Sophia during a series of police raids dubbed “Operation Restore Order.” A police release had stated that when profiled, “Lewis was found to have been sentenced in absentia to six years on two counts of armed robbery committed in ‘A’ Division.” Mr. Lewis was reportedly taken straight to prison following his arrest. It appears
that no attempt was made to verify that he was the man police wanted. The blunder reportedly came to light after his mother, who was living overseas, came to Guyana and filed a complaint with the OPR. One of the ranks who had arrested Junior Lewis, the real accused, reportedly confirmed that Desmond Junior Lewis was not Junior Lewis. Junior Lewis, of Pike Street, Kitty, was charged in November 2017 for two armed robberies, which were allegedly committed on a couple who were near the seawall. The teen pleaded not guilty and was remanded. However, police sources said that he subsequently managed to secure bail, but never returned to court to face the charges. He was later jailed in his absence. TUESDAY PPP Govt. sidelined NIS board while Cabinet made decisions on major investments – Scheme had no say about investment in Berbice Bridge For years, the Board of Directors of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) was almost titular. Most, if not all, major decisions concerning the scheme’s finances were made by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) at its Cabinet meetings. This was found during a review of NIS affairs in years prior to the assumption of coalition to administrative office. The review was ordered by the APNU+AFC government. The findings of that review are contained in a report that is deemed confidential. However, this newspaper was able to secure a glimpse. One of the major findings is that the PPP/C forced itself
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma on the Scheme and made decisions in violation of the National Insurance Scheme Act. It was stated that the NIS Board used to be chaired by the Cabinet Secretary to the previous government, Dr. Roger Luncheon, and that none of the members of the Board had any actuarial or insurance background, except for the General Manager. Further, the document stated that the members had no real say, especially when it came to investments. The document stated, “In fact, many of the members had served on the Board for many years, but when the minutes of the BODs (Board of Directors) for the last four years were reviewed, they confirmed that critical decisions, in particular those for investments, were made by the Cabinet and not the Board.” This is starkly in contradiction to the Act that is supposed to govern NIS. Gov’t fails to implement 174 of Auditor General’s recommendations
Former Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon
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Each year, the Auditor General’s Office issues recommendations to Ministries, Departments and Regions that are designed at improving systems and practices at these entities as well as government’s overall governance and accountability mechanisms. In 2016, 602 recommendations were made in the Audit General report. However, following up on the report, officials of the AG found that only thirty percent of the recommendations were partially implemented. In the 2017 report, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma noted that each recommendation was reviewed to deter-
mine what action, if any, was taken by the respective accounting officers. At the time of finalizing the 2017 report, 178 or 30% of the recommendations were partially implemented while 174 or 28 % of the recommendations were not implemented. Govt. fires Ramson senior; allocates no money for Office The 2019 Budget does not cater for an Office of the Commissioner. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo confirmed this Monday in the National Assembly. Nagamootoo said that this is so because the Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson senior was dismissed for “rendering his office dysfunctional”. Nagamootoo’s statements were in response to questions posed by Opposition Member of Parliament, Juan Edghill. Nagamootoo said, “He has rendered no report to this National Assembly; has provided no account of what he has done.” Further, Nagamootoo said that the Government and Ramson are before the courts in a “series of litigations” for monies which the commissioner claims are owed to him. He said that the office of the Commissioner of Information is being “re-examined.” Nagamootoo said, “We recognise that this is a statutory office and the contractual employment of the last commissioner having been terminated, the Department of Governance and the Office of the Prime Minister will be looking at what measures to have the office resuscitated.” The Prime Minister emphasised that it is neces-
Former Commissioner of Information, Charles Ramson sary to assign someone who is fully qualified to function in the capacity of Commissioner of Information. However, the fact that no money was allocated, indicates little intention to make the Office of the Commissioner of Information active in 2019, even with a replaced Commissioner. Back in 2017, Nagamootoo said that the status of the Commissioner of Information was engaging the attention of the Head of State. He said, “It is engaging the President’s attention because under the Act, the contract of employment for the commissioner falls under the presidency.” While there has been a change of events in this regard, it did not prohibit Nagamootoo from making recommendations to the President regarding what should be done with Ramson considering his unsatisfactory performance.” Prior to the President taking over the matter, Nagamootoo had taken an interest in the issue. But after 20 months, he had still been unaware of what was done by Ramson since he took the post. Every month, Charles Ramson Snr. collected an attractive $2M package to ensure that citizens have easy access to information. WEDNESDAY Govt. should review whether $5M rent paid by GRA is fair to NIS or sell building – Auditors The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is still reeling from a number of bad investments it made under the rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration. In
fact, if the scheme were to count its losses from just one of those investments—in CLICO Guyana—that count would go well beyond $7B. This is highlighted in the report of an audit ordered by the APNU+AFC government. The audit report has not been made public. However, this newspaper has been able to secure excerpts. There seems to be only a few viable options to help cushion the blow NIS has taken. These options were also outlined in the report. The report states that the balance owed to NIS by CLICO Guyana, according to the Scheme’s financial statements, is $5,148,710,367 at December 32, 2014. On February 26, 2009, in response to a petition by the Commissioner of Insurance, the High Court of Guyana issued an order placing CLICO (Guyana) under juridical management pursuant to the provision of the Insurance Act 1998, until further order of the Court. Auditors further noted that on March 2009, Ms. Doreen Nelson, General Manager (AG) wrote to Ms. Maria Van Beek, Judicial Manager of CLICO Guyana and Commissioner of Insurance, requesting that priority be given to NIS to recover the value of its investment in CLICO which was $5,647,782,551 at the time. However, neither the former Commissioner nor the subsequent commissioner responded. It was reported that Ms. Nelson pointed out in the letter that the repayment of these investments is essential for the continuing operations of NIS as a viable entity. Further, auditors pointed out that subsequently, the (Continued on page 34)
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From page 33 Ninth Parliament of Guyana, through Resolution No.82 passed on March 12, 2009, reflects that the Government will undertake to take all possible actions to secure the investments made in CLICO (Guyana) by the NIS on behalf its contributors and beneficiaries to prevent any consequential loss in benefits to them. However, that resolution, the auditors noted, did not address key issues such as the repayment period, the method of repayment, returns on the investments from the time CLICO went under liquidation, etc. GPL suffering 30 percent loss on every megawatt of electricity …Minister Patterson says company hopes to reduce this to five percent Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, who shares responsibility for the energy sector, has noted with concern, the billions of dollars that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) lost from its inception to now. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) highlighted this worrying state of affairs in its latest report. It said that the entity has lost close to US$450M since its inauguration in 1999 to now. Speaking with this newspaper Tuesday on the matter, Minister Patterson said that the loss can be attributed to commercial and technical losses. He explained that with the latter, this relates to poor wires or connections. He said that from the time the power leaves GPL’s generation stations and gets to the user, a high percentage of the electricity is lost. The Minister said, “For every megawatt of electricity, GPL suffers a 30 percent loss and this is because of the technical loss which has to do with the poor wiring or old connections and then there is the commercial loss which has to do with theft, basically. ”And 30 percent is very high but we are working on a number of projects and initiatives to bring it down to five percent. We have indicated same to the PUC…” In its report, the Public Utilities Commission said, “System losses continue to be the bane of the company and this phenomenon has continued for the last 25 years. There appears to be no robust programme on the part of the company to reduce these losses on a sustained basis…” Furthermore, the PUC said that since 2013, GPL had indicated that it would begin a programme to install AMI
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meters nationwide to replace the current installed electromagnetic meters. The AMI meters are thought not to be susceptible to tampering and it would have significantly reduced commercial losses (one of the components of system losses). Kuru Kururu couple found dead in home …suspected to have killed each other A Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway couple was found dead in their home on Tuesday morning. The couple, identified as Malika Hale, a chef, and Alvin Bleacher, a farmer, was discovered in their bed with multiple stab wounds. The couple’s eldest child made the discovery. While investigations are still ongoing, it is speculated that the couple may have stabbed each other to death. The couple was reportedly heard engaging in an intense fight the night before the incident in their home. Hale was said to have been holding a pair of scissors. A knife lay on the floor of the home. Bleacher was recently released on bail on a charge for unlawful wounding. THURSDAY PPP objects to late notices for Constitutional Reform Committee meetings The Parliamentary Opposition has decried the late notices for meetings of the Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform which is chaired by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams. A second meeting of the Committee in as many days was called Wednesday at lunch. Speaker, Dr. Barton Scotland made the announcement, but Opposition MP, Priya Manickchand informed the National Assembly that this was the second time that the meetings was being called with a one-day notice. ”The one-day notice may well prove to be insufficient to members and we have never had an announcement of the Standing Committee meetings in the House,” Manickchand stated. She further noted that there are members on the Committee who would be unable to attend the meeting and this may have been as a result of the late notice. “I thought I would bring it to the House’s attention. What we have been getting are one-day notices. Like, I got a call this morning from the Parliament Office following an email Wednesday
GRA Headquarters [Tuesday] about this meeting. And I pointed out in a letter to the Honourable Chairman as well as all the Committee Members, that we went for almost an entire year without a Committee meeting,” Manickchand noted. Williams has been criticised for not convening meetings of the Committee to deal with the Constitutional Reform Commission Bill, which is essential to the process of constitutional reform. The committee comprises Williams, Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman and Minister of Public Service, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine. Opposition MPs on the committee include former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, Priya Manickchand, Dr. Frank Anthony and Adrian Anamayah. Five-month-old electrocuted A family of the Upper Corentyne area is presently mourning the devastating loss of their five-month-old child after he was reportedly electrocuted on Tuesday at their home. The police are investigating the circumstances in which Mason Cush of Lot 207 No. 76 Housing Scheme Corriverton, Corentyne, met his death. According to reports. around 11:00hrs on the day in question, the baby was at home with his mother Onessa Jackson in their one-flat concrete home.
The child, who lived with his mother, father and a threeyear-old sibling, was reportedly lying on a bed. The woman decided to make up the bed and placed the child to lie on the floor. The child got hold of a drop cord, which was nearby. The cord had an exposed section that had tape wrapped around it. The child reportedly placed the cord into his mouth unknown to the mother. It was when she was finished what she was doing and trying to pick up the child that she realized what had happened. The woman tried to revive the child but was unsuccessful. The baby was rushed to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The woman who began to slip into spells of unconsciousness was taken into custody where she was questioned and subsequently released. The police are asking residents to be extremely careful with electrical connections in their homes, especially with small children around. They are asking citizens to discard damaged electrical appliances and wires. No way would a Guyanese say Exxon deal is good – Dr. Hinds to Outgoing US Envoy When one merely considers the two percent royalty and the fact that Guyana has to pay ExxonMobil’s taxes out of its 50 percent share of the profit oil, there is no way a Guyanese would say that the contract with the USA oil firm is any good.
Those were the words of Executive Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds. His invited comment in this regard, comes on the heels of remarks made by Outgoing US Ambassador, Perry Holloway to the effect that Guyana got a “good deal” with ExxonMobil. Dr. Hinds said that the citizenry should only see Holloway’s comments in the context that he is an American Ambassador, and as such, “he would put the most favourable spin on the contract.” From the Guyanese perspective however, the University Professor said the picture is completely different. Dr. Hinds opined, “… You can never look at it (the contract) and say it is a good contract, and even the government that negotiated it would not be able to say that it is a good contract. And it is not for some objective reasons…” In this regard, the WPA Executive Member reminded of the fact that Guyana has a very low take in terms of local content from the contract; that ExxonMobil has no cap on the equipment and materials it can bring into the country for the project; that the country was given an extremely low signing bonus; and the fact that Guyana has no right to do spontaneous audits as well as visit the operations, among other points. He also reminded of the very short two-year deadline Guyana was given to do cost recovery audits on ExxonMobil, but the USA has nothing less than three years
for similar audits in its oil sector. Dr. Hinds was also critical of the government, saying that the negotiators for Guyana were clearly ill-prepared for the task ahead. FRIDAY Supermarket owner on the run after “stashed” killer bus uncovered Four days after a hit-and run driver left 15-year-old Karamchand Khemraj dead on the Annandale, East Coast Demerara (ECD), Public road and his 16-year-old friend, Reaz Shaw, in a critical state, the vehicle that was involved in the gruesome act was found hidden at the back of a bakery in Mon Repos. The vehicle, with shattered windscreen, and damage to the left side, was located at the bakery, which is owned by a Chinese woman. The bus, bearing registration number GWW 2140, is reportedly owned by another Chinese national, C. Wen, who has a store at Lot 10 Vigilance, East Coast Demerara. His whereabouts are now unknown. Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, told Kaieteur News last night that police are making diligent efforts to locate him. He confirmed that the damage to the bus indicated that the vehicle was involved in an accident. Relatives of the two victims had said that two broken sections of a number plate were left near the scene. One part showed ‘GW’ (Continued on page 35)
Sunday December 16, 2018
From page 34 and another part showed the numbers ‘40’. Thursday, this publication received information that there were two Silver Gray Toyota Hiace buses which bore number plates that were a close match to the broken plate. One bearing registration number GWW 2140, was registered to an individual identified as C. Wen of Lot 10 Vigilance ECD. C.Wen, a Chinese national, owned a supermarket which is located a short distance from the Vigilance Police Station. On visiting the location, a resident disclosed that he had not seen “the silver-grey bus” which is used by the Chinese supermarket owner since Sunday night. The source directed Kaieteur News to Mon Repos where a bakery was located. On checking at the location, a tarpaulin-covered object was discovered at the back of the makeshift bakery. A female Chinese national eventually came outside. On being questioned about the whereabouts of the man who drove the “silver bus,” the woman claimed that she had no idea what the reporter was referring to. She left shortly after with another woman and a man who had arrived with a car. After 19 years senior citizen gets $4M pay out from NIS Almost two decades, the National Insurance Scheme, (NIS) finally relented to a senior citizen’s request to pay out benefits which totalled $4 million but not without a little help from her lawyers. The recipient, who declined to have her full name disclosed, was represented by the law firm of Christopher
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Ram and Associates. According to a document seen by this newspaper, the elderly woman was continuously employed at Banks DIH Limited from 1981 until her retirement in 2000. After celebrating her 60th birthday, the woman applied to NIS for her pension but was told that she did not have sufficient contributions required to benefit from the pension scheme. Given the explanation proffered by NIS, the woman was instead given a grant of almost $80,000 for her contributions to NIS. She later appealed to the NIS Review Board over the decision not to grant her a pension but the appeal was unsuccessful. The pensioner was told that her contribution to NIS stood at 725 when the number required is 750 contributions. Dissatisfied with the response from NIS, the woman now 79 years old, approached the lawyers at Ram and Associates. The law firm made contact with the woman’s former employers, Banks DIH, who provided records of the employment and remits to NIS. The law firm then wrote to NIS and attached the information provided by Banks DIH. NIS had previously referenced missing contributions for February 1991 to April 1992 and May 1993 to June 1994 on behalf of the woman. However the scheme made no mention of contributions for 1985 which was in dispute. Banks DIH had supplied records of the woman’s contribution for that year. No confidence motion set for debate next Friday When most Guyanese will be focused on preparations for Christmas, Members of
Parliament will face off in one last political contest before the Christian holiday – a no confidence motion against the Coalition Government. The Government clings to a one-seat majority, controlling 33 seats in the 65member House, and has fixed next Friday, December 21, to debate the motion brought by the People’s
Progressive Party (PPP). If the motion is to be successful, the PPP will need two members on the Government side to be absent or abstain from voting, or attract a ‘yes’ vote from the Government benches while maintaining their full 32 votes. Leader of Government business, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, said
MPs will debate the no confidence motion on December 21.
that even the fact that the Opposition is holding on to the possibility of having a Government Member abstain from voting is absurd. He said that in such an eventuality, the vote would be tied and the motion would be defeated. According to Nagamootoo, the motion has no reasonable prospect for success in the House.
SATURDAY Crime Chief confident of locating Annandale ‘killer driver’ cops have “no doubt” damaged bus linked to accident, says Divisional Commander Traffic Chief Linden Isles is confident that investigators will eventually apprehend the driver who left 15-year-old Karamchand Khemraj to die at Annandale, East Coast Demerara, after hitting down the teen and his friend, 16year-old friend Reaz Shaw. He said that while police have located the damaged bus, investigators are still to verify who was driving when the teens were struck down. He noted that the bus owner, identified as a Chinese store owner, C. Wen, has other relatives. Mr. Wen’s whereabouts were still unknown up to yesterday. ‘C’ Division Commander Calvin Brutus disclosed that police have not confirmed reports that Mr. Wen may be in Suriname. He said that police have circulated messages at various ports of entry in an attempt to locate the businessman. According to Commander (Continued on page 36)
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From page 35 Brutus, surveillance footage had shown that “there is no doubt” that the bus, bearing registration number GWW 2140, was involved in the hit-and-run fatality. He gave this response when queried as to reports that the vehicle has reportedly not been checked for possible traces of blood and other forensic evidence. O n T h u r s d a y, s o m e sources expressed concern that forensic experts from CID Headquarters, Eve Leary, were not called in to check the damaged bus for possible traces of blood, fibre and hair. A source explained that while all divisions have their own Crime Scene ranks, they are not equipped with chemicals such as luminol, which is used to detect trace amounts of blood at crime scenes. Crime Scene ranks from ‘C’ Division had examined the vehicle, but were reportedly unable to conduct a full examination. The source explained
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Kaieteur News
that “time is of the essence,” since evidence such as blood could be washed away. According to the source, the Crime Scene experts should have been summoned to examine the vehicle at the scene where it was located. “There should be minimal movement of the vehicle until it is examined,” t h e s o u r c e s a i d . “ Yo u would look for indentations and hair and fibres. Time is of the essence, since rain could wash away hair and fibres. You would also use luminol to check for blood.” The vehicle, with shattered windscreen, and damage to the left side, was located on Thursday at a makeshift bakery, which is owned by a female Chinese national. Televised public events, newscasts must have closed captions, sign language interpreters next year Regulators are moving to making public events more friendly for persons with disabilities, starting next year. In
Representatives of broadcasters at the engagement with GNBA fact, TV newscasts will have to include a sign language interpreter and closed captions until it becomes the norm.This is all part of the updated broadcasting law which mandates Guyana to have its television operators toe the line. With over 14,000 per-
sons being visually impaired in the country, there is the obvious consideration that this large grouping has a significant role to play in developing the country. This assertion was made by Chairman of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), Leslie Sobers on Friday. He was meeting with representatives of the television and radio broadcasters at Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown, to brief engage them of developments and plans for next year. Sobers said a new board was appointed last year February with a mandate to specifically craft a strategy for the sector. The authority focused on improving licensing and the fee structures, as well as beef up its Monitoring Unit, part of the all-important Monitoring and Compliance Committee. The unit is responsible for listening to radio and TV programmes and flagging violations. The GNBA has been warning operators of several violations, including incitement, showing minors accused of criminal activities, nude scenes at prime time and vulgar lyr-
ics of songs. Several radio station licences were approved, including one for National Media and Broadcasting Company Limited, a sister company of Kaieteur News. According to Sobers, compliance has been an issue for the authority, with a new fee structure, zoning and new guidelines for broadcasters introduced. There have also been visits to broadcasters to learn more of existing challenges. According to the chairman, the authority has also been leading by example for compliance, but also having its accounts up to date. There are cases of broadcasters who are not complying by paying their fees. GNBA has been patient and has been issuing letters before resorting to legal means. Detective Sergeant Keith Conway is “A” Division’s “Best Cop” Detective Sergeant Keith Conway, the rank the Guyana Police Force said solved many crimes, including murders, and saw much success in apprehension of wanted persons, and dismantling of criminal gangs among other
achievements, was on Friday awarded ‘A’ Division’s much coveted “Best Cop” award. He was presented with a trophy, monetary incentives, gifts and vacation trips to Kaieteur Falls and Arrowpoint Nature Resort from stakeholders, and also the Guyana Police Force. “I’ve worked hard. I was very disciplined and dedicated. I was very consistent with my work. Coming from Berbice to Georgetown and to accomplish the best performer of the year is a great accomplishment for me,” Conway said. 2017 “Best Cop” Sergeant Gavin Boyce, who is one of the most outstanding Traffic ranks with over 1,000 cases so far for this year, was this year’s runner up, and also received a trophy, incentives and gifts among other prizes for his outstanding work. The ceremony which is held every year with the intent of giving back to ranks who have worked exceptionally well and beyond the call of duty, was held in the compound of the Brickdam Police Station, and was also an opportunity for junior ranks to dine with the Commissioner and Senior Officers.
GNBA’s chairman Leslie Sobers (far right) during his presentation. Sitting are senior GNBA officials.
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
Tips to be Prepared for an Immigration Interview By Gail Seeram Face-to-face interviews with your local immigration office can be intimidating, but they are absolutely vital to obtaining approval of your immigration case. In the past, not every immigration request required an interview. While this is technically still the case, many more applicants are finding themselves called in for interviews than in the past. You may be called in for an interview when applying for citizenship, a green card through marriage, asylum, removal of conditions, work visas, fiancé visas, or at the discretion of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In order to help you obtain approval for your immigration case, we’ve created a Top 5 list of tips to use when being interviewed by immigration officials. To p 5 Ti p s f o r Immigration Interviews 5. Be Respectful. Treat i m m i g r a t i o n officials with the utmost respect. Address the officer with sir or ma’am (Yes, sir, N o , s i r , e t c . ) . Yo u r application status, approval or denial, all depends on the interview official. You must do your best to obtain their approval, which starts with being respectful. 4. Be Professional. Continuing along in the same vein as being respectful is to be professional and dress professionally. Treat this as a job interview and dress similarly. Suits or dress pants, button-down shirts, ties, skirts, and dresses are all acceptable and present a much more polished, professional image than jeans, shorts, or flip flops. Remove obvious piercings and cover up tattoos to present an even more professional image. 3. Bring the required or requested documents. Bring original or certified copies of all of the necessary, required, or requested documentation with you to the interview. This may be birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce records,
arrest records. It does not matter how old these records are or what the outcome was. It is better to arrive overprepared with documents than to arrive underprepared. 2. Bring all supporting documents. If your case can be bolstered with supporting documentation, bring it. For example, you may need to provide evidence that your marriage is true and based on mutual love, not citizenship, or you may need to bring documents that show that you are employed in the U.S. Again, err on the side of being overprepared as opposed to underprepared. 1. Bring an attorney. This is one of the most helpful and important actions you can take to bolster your immigration case. You are allowed to bring an immigration attorney to the interview, but their assistance can help long before the interview date as well. An attorney can help your build your case, make sure you have collected all of the necessary documents that have been requested or that will support your case. He or she can also defend you at the interview and advocate on your behalf. This is particularly helpful for people who do not speak English well or who are at all confused by the
Gail S. Seeram immigration process. If you have an immigrat i o n i n t e r v i e w coming up or just want to be prepared in case you are called in for an interview, contact our Immigration Law Offices for help. We have 20 years of experience representing clients at interviews as well as helping clients prepare for their immigration interviews. Attorney Gail Seeram, LL.M., J.D., BBA call | text | whatsApp 407292-7730 email: Gail@GailLaw.com live chat: www.GailLaw.com Download FREE App: Gail Law Copyright © Law Offices of Gail S. Seeram, 2018. All Rights Reserved.
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The Story
Within The
STORY… By Leonard Gildarie Recently, outgoing US ambassador, Perry Holloway, met with a number of media personnel as part of his final engagements before departing Guyana. He left two Saturdays ago. Holloway sharpened his teeth on the fight against narcotics trafficking in Latin America, before being posted to Guyana. He was grilled by reporters on the oil contract
Sunday December 16, 2018
Dangerous times for politicians
with ExxonMobil, the local political climate, extraditions and other topical issues. Currently, there is a major case which is ongoing, involving Guyana-born, N e w Yo r k - b a s e d businessman, Marcus Bisram. The case is significant in many respects. I can’t remember, during my time in the media, when a US citizen was ever sent back. Bisram is wanted in Guyana to face a murder
charge. Quite a few Guyanese ended up in US jails because of extraditions. It would spell a shift in relations between US and Guyana. According to Holloway, during his campaign on the anti-narcotic front, he had seen the use of extraditions as a tool to tackle transnational crime. S i g n i f i c a n t l y, w h a t Holloway said after, and that is what I want discuss, is what should have us taking notice.
The ambassador noted that in the past there was little fear when these transnational crimes were committed across a number of other countries. However, new laws on anti-money laundering and extraditions are here, and there will be more such requests from countries that want to prosecute. This would hold true for other crimes, the official hinted. It would indeed be worrying news for persons
who believe that they can stay here while they conduct illegal transactions and stash their proceeds abroad. Extraditions will be used more. The warning would be a grim reminder that things have changed. We have had accusations of public office holders who have laundered their proceeds in properties and in bank accounts abroad. We can look at many cases from Malaysia and other countries, where top leaders and their families are being investigated, and monies and bank accounts seized. The exposure and public humility that came from those revelations have attracted global attention. There was a time when the US turned a blind eye on large sums of money leaving Guyana. While it was not being declared here, it had to be recorded at the US ports, like at the airports. Nobody wanted to take a chance of not declaring at those ports. The US authorities are reportedly sharing this information with local authorities. The US knows the transactions. It appears that some businesses would not declare their income here to avoid scrutiny and the tax man. We come to the local situation. It is harder to hide money in the local banks. New regulations call for more reporting of suspicious transactions. It has become harder also for local banks to do business with correspondent banks. You depend on them to send and receive money, and conduct other transactions overseas for our local businesses and individuals. Demerara Bank, for
Leonard Gildarie example, does not have a branch overseas. It has to establish a relation with an overseas bank - known as a correspondent bank. There is a significant cost incurred by banks to put systems in place and then continue monitoring suspicious transactions. But they must do just that…the laws say so. We know of cases where overseas banks just stopped doing business with our local ones because it is too expensive and risky. It is a warning to politicians and would-be ones who think public office is a get-rich place. Yo u c a n c o l l e c t kickbacks, but more than likely you can’t put it in the banks. A hole in the ground would be a better bet. Or under the mattress. Local authorities can even now visit the safe deposit boxes if they are convinced that ill-gotten proceeds or evidence has been hidden there. No bank wants to be accused of colluding with persons or businesses in laundering money. So yes, the bottom line is that once the money is in the system, it can be tracked. So unless you want to collect and keep millions in cash, laundering the proceeds through the bank is not such a good idea anymore.
Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
K O
BO
A Must-Read Memoir
Tigerbelle: The Wyomia Tyus Story Authors: Wyomia Tyus and Elizabeth Terzakis Reviewer: Dr. Glenville Ashby The Wyomia Tyus Story is a timely memoir that redefines the hybrid dynamics of poverty, race and gender. Thankfully, we are spared the moral pruning of liberalism and allowed to make our own judgment. We get a first-hand account of growing up black in America’s south. It is circa 1940s and blacks are forced to swallow the bitter pill that is racism. The Tyus family steels itself against the selfloathing and bitterness that are symptomatic of this social disease. A red line is drawn: The Tyus children learn to never accept being called a Nig--r. This psychological buttressing goes a long way in building pride and stoicism, attributes that are undeniably transferred to Ty u s ’ g r o u n d b r e a k i n g success as a black female athlete. Tyus writes, “Being black in Griffin, Georgia, was one thing. Being a girl was another. Along with the neighbors and some renters we played with Ben Brown’s boys. His daughters were never allowed to play with us. The white girls rode horses and played with dolls...” She recalls her dad’s admonition, “You do not let them call you by any names but your name. They cannot call you the N-Word.” Of her childhood, Tyus shares, “Playing with the
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boys was what prepared me to be the athlete I am. Boys and girls are all about the same when they’re close in age and haven’t hit puberty. And I always had the competitive edge. I wanted to win.” Still, it was not common for women to gravitate to a sport characterized by speed and power. She was dissuaded by her mother who recoiled at her masculinity: “No man likes to see muscles like that on a woman. You know she’s never going to get married or have babies. Because that running just takes the womanhood from you takes it right out of you.” Tyus ignored her wellintentioned detractors and credits her coach, Mr. Temple, with the enviable culture that defined Tigerbelle. “Mr. Temple wanted me to express myself,” she pens, “because he knew that it would help me later in life…as much as he criticized, he also gave you y o u r a c c o l a d e s … M r. Temple also made sure that we did well in school. It was a rude awakening, another of those moments when I had to start telling myself what to do - I can do this. I got to really learn.” Tyus vividly revisits her poise and confidence at the 1968 Olympics, recalling her stream of thoughts during the race: “I got a good start! I
got a good start! I am out! I am in front ...I am faster...I didn’t hear any of them. Even so, I wasn’t really listening to them. If I was listening for anyone, it was Raelene Boyle, but I had psyched her out, so she was not going to beat me. Now I was thinking, Stay relaxed, lift your knees and stay relaxed, lift your knees. Don’t forget to lean at the finish line! And then it was over. Just like that.” Tyus, not unexpectedly, emerged as a defining figure in the struggle for access and self-determination in women’s sports. She was at the forefront in advancing gender equality through the Women’s Sports Foundation that resulted in the passing of Title IX ensuring that “girls were not discriminated against when it came to playing sports.” She later discusses intersectionality, a concept introduced by the Black feminist camp of North America that examines how working-class Black women are oftentimes impacted by race, class and gender, while Black males are subjected to the binary effects of race and class. Socially active in her post-Olympic years, Tyus has worked tirelessly with students, aiming to build personhood while teaching cultural sensitivity and tolerance. She details these sobering exchanges: “Four schools would come to camp: high schoolers, junior high schoolers, and elementary school kids...and they would stay for two and a half days doing hikes and, if they were high school or middle school kids, talking racism and sexism and what their thoughts were in making change. Questions were asked: How do you feel
about being who you are? What’s it is like to be a member of your group? How do you think society sees you? When people see you, what do you think they think of you? How do you view people different from you? Again, all the stereotypes would come out. To me, it was interesting that, when talking about negative stereotypes, no one ever looked at it as they thought . The main thing is that once you’ve opened it up, it’s a can of worms...” As a wife, mother and grandmother, Tyus continues to lend her counsel to a society still bereft of racial and gender equality. Of the ongoing struggle for racial justice, she states, “But we who are speaking out for Black people will never know the pain of our forefathers or foremothers.” A n d o f t h e disproportionate ratio of young black men killed by police officers, she writes, “...just because you are a policeman doesn’t mean you are not racist... And just because you are in a position of authority doesn’t mean that you will not act on your racism. Racism exists.” The Wyomia Tyus Story is triumphant. A must read. Written with candour and
boundless energy it demonstrates the resolve of the human spirit to emerge victorious against the greatest odds. F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby
@2018 Wyomia Tyus and Elizabeth Terzakis Published by Akashic Books ISBN: 978-1-61775658-0 Available at Amazon Ratings: Highly recommended
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Scotiabank’s obligation for decades of profits By Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders A curious double standard is being applied by the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) by its decision to sell its operations in nine Caribbean countries to Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) of Trinidad and Tobago. In Canada, banks cannot be sold to foreigners without the expressed approval of the government of Canada. The Canadian banking act is quite specific in two relevant areas. First, no bank or bank branch can carry on business in Canada without obtaining the approval of the finance minister and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI). This is especially important in the context of the prime minister and minister of finance of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, insisting that his government’s agreement is required before BNS can sell its Antigua holdings to RFHL or any other potential buyer. Second, while the Canadian OSFI assesses
applications for the incorporation of banks and makes recommendations to the finance minister, it is the minister who has the ultimate responsibility for approving the incorporation of banks and foreign bank branches. Importantly, in discharging responsibility to approve a bank, an important consideration is whether such approval is in the “best interests of the Canadian financial system”. Despite these existent circumstances in Canada, BNS is attempting to sell its holdings in nine Caribbean jurisdictions without consultation with, or approval from, the governments concerned. Clearly, while a standard exists, and is operated in Canada with respect to government approvals, BNS appears to be expecting the nine Caribbean countries to accept a lower standard. Those nine countries are: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St KittsNevis, St Lucia, St Maarten, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. In the case of Guyana,
both the governor of the Central Bank, Dr Gobind Ganga, and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, have stated that should the BNS’ holdings be sold to RFHL, which already has a presence in the country, the latter would own at least 53 percent of total assets in the banking sector and more than 50 percent of total deposits. That situation troubles opposition leader and former president, Bharrat Jagdeo, as much as it worries the government, since RFHL would be able to exert control over interest rates and lending policies. The government of Antigua and Barbuda’s resistance to sale of BNS’ holdings in Antigua to RFHL is different, but equally important. Like every other Caribbean country, Antigua and Barbuda’s financial services sector has been subject to a process of ‘derisking’ by which global banks in the United States, the UK and parts of Europe have withdrawn correspondent banking relations (CBRs). CBRs are vital to bank transactions.
Without them, bills for goods and services incurred overseas cannot be settled, and monies for goods and services, earned from overseas cannot be received. In other words, CBRs are crucial to the Caribbean’s participation in the global financial and trading system. Without them, economies would wither, companies would collapse, and unemployment and poverty would rise. In part, the domestic banking sectors in Antigua and Barbuda, and other Eastern Caribbean countries, have lost CBRs, and could lose more, because they are regarded as too small and not capable of producing enormous profits that would compensate global banks for ‘risking’ continued operations in their countries. This is one of the reasons given by BNS for disposing of its operations in the nine countries. BNS said, “These transactions are not material to Scotiabank,” which is “trying to shed regulatory burdens”. These burdens, incidentally, are imposed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Financial Action Task Force, both external to the Caribbean. By calling for BNS to sell its Antigua holdings to a consortium, comprising the government and local banks, the Antigua and Barbuda government says it is seeking “to strengthen the l o c a l b a n k i n g s e c t o r, improve its resilience, and e n h a n c e t h e n a t i o n ’s utilization of its own wealth, including keeping profits at home for re-investment in economic growth and social development”. A sale of BNS’ holdings
in Antigua to RHFL would not achieve the objective of enlarging the indigenous banks and increasing their c a p a c i t y, m a k i n g them more attractive Sir Ronald Sanders for global banks to continue to provide earn ings in 2017 of CBRs. Indeed, for Antigua EC$4.785 million, down and Barbuda and other from EC$6.521 million in Eastern Caribbean countries, 2016. All of this seems to the situation would worsen, suggest that the Antigua since they would lose BNS’ branch has been transferring built-in CBRs with its the bulk of its retained profits headquarters in Canada; to BNS’ head office. their indigenous banks BNS operated in Antigua would not be strengthened; for over 50 years. It derived and they would be faced with all the money to meet its another bank (RHFL) that costs and make yearly profits requires CBRs to conduct that it transferred to its business. headquarters in Canada from Therefore, the Antigua clients in Antigua and and Barbuda concern with Barbuda; none of that enlarging the capacity of its money, except for the initial indigenous banks and small capital expenditure, enhancing their resilience is many decades ago, came a legitimate concern in the from outside. To the very best interest of its financial end, it transferred relatively system. large profits made in the T h e r e i s a f u r t h e r small Antigua and Barbuda consideration. In none of the m a r k e t t o i t s p a r e n t nine jurisdictions, which company. BNS calls “non-core Surely, in its desire to markets” for its business, is leave “to focus the Bank’s anything more than branches efforts on markets with being sold. BNS is not significant scale”, BNS selling the Scotia brand or should recognise a moral a n y a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h obligation to sell its Antigua Scotiabank, so ‘goodwill’ is holdings to local entities, questionable. It is selling g i v i n g t h e c o u n t r y ’s assets and liabilities of a financial sector a chance to branch. thrive. In this connection, it is important to note that the Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua branch is not Antigua and Barbuda’s capitalised, and figures Ambassador to the US and available in the auditor’s the OAS. (KPMG) statement of 8 He is also a Senior January 2016, reveal that Fellow at the Institute of EC$59.41 million was Commonwealth Studies, transferred to head office. University of London and Further, in 2017 the branch Massey College in the declared profits of EC$28.24 University of Toronto. The million, but listed EC$30.2 views expressed are his own. million as “due to Head R e s p o n s e s t o : Office”, leaving retained www.sirronaldsanders.com
Sunday December 16, 2018
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The Caique
The caiques are species of parrots in the genus Pionites. They are relatively small and stocky, with a short, square tail. Due to their very bright, pure colours they are considered among the most beautiful parrot species in the aviculture business. Their typical weight is 150–170 grams. They can live up to 40 years. They are endemic in the Amazon Basin in South America, with the black-headed north of the Amazon River, and the white-bellied south. They are listed on Appendix 2 of the C o n v e n t i o n o n International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as a species of least concern. They generally prefer forested areas and subsist on fruits and seeds. Caiques are generally canopy dwellers, spending most of their time in the tops of trees, foraging and playing. Caique wing feathers produce a distinctive whirring sound in flight. They are highly vocal. Originally Pionites had two species, the Blackheaded Parrot and Whitebellied Parrot. However recent morphological work has indicated that the Whitebellied Parrot should be split into three species based on plumage and leg coloration. In the past these parrots were often allied with South American parakeets, recent mitochondrial and nuclear DNA work has found Pionites being the sister taxon to the Deroptyus (the genus that contains the Red-fan parrot); the two genera occupy a basal position in the tribe Arini. These parrots are found in the edges of forests and secondary-growth forests. They usually forage on at higher levels in the canopy, although can also be found lower at forest edges. At
least two members of the flock acted as sentries during feeding time. Their diet consists of flowers, fruit, pulp, and seeds, although in captivity they are known to eat insects. Depending on the species and the location, they can breed from October to May at various times of the year. Caiques are high-nesting cavity birds and roost communally. The number of the flock is usually around 10 to 30 individuals. The species of the White-bellied parrot complex is found in humid forest and wooded habitats in the Amazon south of the Amazon River in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru. It is generally fairly common throughout its range and is easily seen in a wide range of protected areas. The Black-headed parrot is found in forests ( e s p e c i a l l y, b u t n o t exclusively, humid) and nearby wooded habitats in the Amazon north of the Amazon River and west of the Ucayali River in Brazil, northern Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is generally fairly common and occurs in many protected areas throughout its range. Caiques are growing in popularity in aviculture. The more commonly found species is the black-headed caique, since it was introduced first in captivity, but the whitebellied caique’s popularity is growing rapidly. Well-raised caiques bond well with humans and have a reputation as energetic birds that enjoy playing with toys and lying on their backs. These birds sometimes perform a behaviour unusual for avian species, in which they roll over on their backs in apparent play sometimes called “wrestling”. They are not
particularly good flyers, becoming tired and winded after only a short distance. They also tend to be clumsy and slow in the air compared to other birds. They often prefer to walk, jump, climb, or hop as a mode of transportation. They are excellent climbers, with very strong feet and legs. Caiques also exhibit a unique behaviour known as “surfing”, where the bird
will vigorously rub its face, wings and chest against any nearby soft item (e.g. carpets, towels, cushions, crumpled paper, curtains or human hair) while using its beak to pull itself along. During this, the bird will display jerky movements and may roll over several times. This behaviour is thought to be a cleaning or bathing motion and occurs regardless of age or sex. In the wild, caiques use wet
leaves for this behaviour. (Source: Wikipedia – The
F r e e O n l i n e Encyclopedia)
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
When adults ‘suffer’ little... (From page 38) bloodshed and death. Innocence dissipates. Childhood ends, or is severely truncated. Only last week a case of what I will call reciprocal murder occurred, in which a man and his reputed wife were al-
leged to have brutally stabbed each other to death during the night as their children slept a short distance away. It is said that the four siblings discovered their parents, bloodied and lifeless the following morning. Now I can only sur-
mise as to their individual and collective state of mind as they viewed a scene no child should ever have to witness. Human behaviour, especially our inclination to violence against each other, is a phenomenon that is still
far from being understood. And it seems that no matter how much we think of ways to mitigate it; no matter how hard we try to predict and prevent it, the human mind conjures up some new barbarity and some hideously innovative technique to baffle our best and most altruistic efforts. Medical science is probing the human brain in ways that were unimaginable a few decades ago. One of the latest advances is the braincomputer interface, in which a human brain can be linked to a computer in such a way that brain signals bypass the body’s neuromuscular system, and translate into actions thus, for example, enabling a paralyzed person to write a book or move a prosthetic limb merely by thought. And if, as is posited, the human brain can also be rewired for improved health, why is the ‘human condition’ still in such bad shape? If medical science can do that, why can’t it probe the genesis and the metastatic flourish of human violence in general and the domestic variety in particular? In many instances it is the kind of subtle, pernicious, build-up that suddenly explodes, and takes both the perpetrator and the victim by sur-
prise, leaving family and community in jaw-dropping shock. Sometimes though, the signs are clear to those who care to see them. As we all know now, domestic violence killings often leave a signpost trail of lesser evils as mentioned before threats, intimidation, and the occasional physical assault that is, in a surprising number of cases, interpreted as deep love and understandable jealousy. Few see the manipulator or the potential homicidal maniac, until of course they can no longer see, because they’re dead. Just like that! And after they are gone, who are left behind? The benumbed and the bereaved including children whose thoughts and emotions have to ‘adulterate’ overnight, as they vainly try to bridge the chasm that suddenly, and inexplicably, appeared before them. There is a huge gulf that separates living, loving parents from lifeless, bloodied bodies lying on the matrimonial bed that should have been a cushion of love. Think about it, and weep for our children. In that prodigious ‘book of books’ we know of as the Christian bible, Jesus famously said, “Suffer the little children, and forbid them not
to come unto me, for such is the kingdom of heaven.” This was when the adult disciples who were his closest followers ‘rebuked’ them, possibly for annoying the great man with their childish questions and requests. Jesus’ response was a counter-rebuke, and he made it clear that children were among surest heirs to the kingdom of heaven. Many of us confess a Christian upbringing, if not Christian beliefs. The perpetrators of domestic violence were once children, many of whom would admit to such a background. Now a most preposterous thought has entered my mind. Could there be sane people, adults, who, by some improbable stretch of the imagination, would place a negative connotation on the word ‘suffer’ as used by Jesus? We Guyanese adults, in our occasional pompous and patronizing manner, love to proclaim that children are our greatest resource; our greatest asset. Then we hurt them with our twisted notions of love and security. We lie to them to suit our purpose and our passions. And we maim, orphan, and kill them. We ‘suffer’ them … not to come to us, but to leave them, neglected, lonely; lost. That is not what Jesus had in mind.
Tribute to a fallen comrade (From page 39) for. So today as I celebrate my friend’s life, I call on this government, I call on every one to recognise that health care is not a privilege for some. It is a RIGHT that each citizen is entitled to. I call on everyone to recognise that the experience of Bevon’s could be yours, or that of your child or loved one equally. None deserve to have his/ her health and life treated with less value. In today’s world there is talk about health care justice. We are far from health care justice in this nation when there is such disparity in accessing affordable care for all. Bevon wanted to live and it wasn’t just about living for himself. It was living to make a difference in the lives of all Guyanese regardless of race, class or political affiliation. That is how he lived his life, believing in the common good. Had he survived this battle he would no doubt have become an advocate for improved and state wide healthcare access for all.
He would have wanted to see a reduction of any discriminatory practices, any inequality, indifference, lack of concern, neglect existing, as hindrances to quality care. As there is celebration of his life, we can best give value to his memory by advocating in his name for health care justice for all. To his party comrades, take this message that we the people of Guyana cannot all afford overseas treatment to save our lives and that of our loved ones; we need fair access to life-saving care. Bevon had so much to offer. We spoke often during his illness, the last being three days before his demise. That conversation was about his determination to return home for a miracle to his illness, jobs for the youth in Linden, East and West Coast Demerara. There was no inkling it would have been our last, for his spirit was high and he was filled with optimism. There are countless stories to be told about this comrade’s peoplecentredness and vision. I re-
call us driving and if someone shouted at him, he would ask that I stop, got out of the car, listened to the person’s problem/concern, and would stay in contact with the person until the issue was resolved. Persons coming from outlying areas to Georgetown in search of work, if they got in touch with Bevon, he would go the distance to make it possible and if needed, assisting to finding accommodation. We are reassured that this fighter did not go down without a struggle and death would have had a very hard time. Bevon lives in the countless memories shared with those whose lives he touched or came into contact with. To his family and loved ones I say be at peace, your brother’s soul is in good hands. He lived a good life and is now an enrichment to the other side, probably looking for Desmond Hoyte, who he loved and admired. Lots of political discussion to be had there, as to the state of Guyana, and governance. Rest in Peace, my friend.
Sunday December 16, 2018
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1.Q: Why does a man twist his wedding ring on his finger? A: He's trying to figure out the combination. 2.During a heartfelt chat with her friend about relationships, my wife sighed and said, “You know, if something happened to Lloyd, I don't think I could ever marry again.” Her friend nodded sympathetically. “I know what you mean,” she said. “Once is enough.” 3. I identify with football players because I know what it's like to spend your whole life training for a large, jewel-encrusted ring. 4. Overheard at my garden-club meeting: “I never knew what compost was until I met my husband.” 5.Even though there was a blizzard raging outside, I made it the half-mile to the bakery, where I asked the owner for six rolls. “Your wife must like rolls,” he said. “How do you know these are for my wife?” I asked. “Because your mother wouldn't send you out in weather like this.” 6. A man tells his doctor that he's incapable of doing all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination is over, he says, “Okay, Doctor. In plain English—what's wrong with me?” “Well, in plain English,” says the doctor, “you're just lazy.” The man nods. “Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.” 7. For a romantic touch, I washed our sheets with lavenderscented detergent. When my husband got into bed, he sniffed. “What's this?” he asked. “Guess,” I said coyly. “I have no idea,” he said. “It smells like the stuff you use to line the hamster's cage.” 8. Shortly before our 25th wedding anniversary, my husband sent 25 long-stemmed yellow roses to me at my office. A few days later, I plucked all the petals and dried them. On the night of our anniversary, I spread the petals over the bed and lay on top of them, wearing only a negligee. As I'd hoped, I got a reaction from my husband. When he saw me, he shouted, “Are those potato chips?” 9. After finishing our Chinese food, my husband and I cracked open our fortune cookies. Mine read, “Be quiet for a little while.” His read, “Talk while you have a chance.” Carol Burks, Providence, Rhode Island 10. My wife told me that I twist everything she says to my advantage. I take that as a compliment. D. T. 11. At the cocktail party, one woman said to another, 'Aren't you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?' The other replied, 'Yes, I am, I married the wrong man.' 12.After a quarrel, a wife said to her husband, 'You know, I was a fool when I married you.' The husband replied, 'Yes, dear, but I was in love and didn't notice.' 13.A man inserted an 'ad' in the classifieds: 'Wife wanted'. Next day he received a hundred letters. They all said the same thing: 'You can have mine.' 14.When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her. 15.Marriage is the triumph of imagination over intelligence. Second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience. 16.I married Miss Right. I just didn't know her first name was Always. Losing a wife can be hard. In my case, it was almost impossible. 17..I haven't spoken to my wife in 18 months - I don't like to interrupt her. 18.Just think, if it weren't for marriage, men would go through life thinking they had no faults at all. 19.My girlfriend told me I should be more affectionate. So I got two girlfriends. 20.A husband said to his wife, 'No, I don't hate your relatives. In fact, I like your mother-in-law better than I like mine.' 21.A man meets a genie. The genie tells him he can have whatever he wants, provided that his mother-in-law gets double. The man thinks for a moment and then says, 'OK, give me a million dollars and beat me half to death.' 22.How do most men define marriage? A very expensive way to get your laundry done free. 23.A man said his credit card was stolen but he decided not to report it because the thief was spending less than his wife did. 24.The most effective way to remember your wife's birthday is to forget it once.
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Insightful businessman, Azeem Baksh is a ‘Special Person’ By Sharmain Grainger “Without God we are nothing!” Azeem Baksh has lived by this motto for the most part of his life and today we share his story of just how he was able to overcome a plethora of challenges to become the successful businessman he is today. Quoting Dr. Balamurali Ambati, an Indian-American Ophthalmologist who was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records when he became the youngest doctor at the age of 17, Baksh said, “To the youths of the world – work hard while you are young, so that you can enjoy it as you get older.” Indeed Baksh is a sterling example of this very notion spoken of a few years
you have to be prayerful; by ourselves we are nothing, but with God we are everything.” Although advanced in age,
performer, Baksh even then had the confidence that he had the potential to delve into just about any career path he set his mind to and
“You need to work hard and you need to save; you have got to know what your goal is and work towards it. Without knowing what your goal is, what are you going to achieve?” today Baksh is a versatile businessman who currently enjoys gold mining, even as he engages in some exploration work. But venturing into such activities these days is not merely to turn a profit, rather, these are among his favourite pastimes.You see, Baksh was able to make it successful as a businessman so many years ago that he
With his ever-supportive wife, Indra. ago by the young scholar. But Baksh had long before this recognised that it is imperative to work hard and be focused if you are to have a successful life. In fact he believes that young people should learn from an early age that it is important “to associate with the right people and make smart choices.” He added, “You need to work hard and you need to save; you have got to know what your goal is and work towards it. Without knowing what your goal is, what are you going to achieve?” Even as he made the point that realising one’s goal will entail making a few, or even many sacrifices sometimes, Baksh noted that people, especially young people, must be au fait with the fact that “whatever you work hard for comes from God. So
“I don’t remember how I got it, but even today that name stick….a lot of people still call me ‘Joe’ Baksh instead of my real name,” said a
has been known to help thousands of small miners chart successful mining operations. His many business ventures have been known to be very kind to the local economy over the years. But business wasn’t always a walk in the park for Baksh. In fact, there were many points of his life when he was almost consumed by so many challenges that he simply couldn’t see his way. FORMATIVE YEARS Born February 16, 1954, to parents Hassim and Shamiun Nesha Baksh [both deceased], he was the eldest child in the 10-children household. He recalls growing up with the nickname ‘Joe’ but doesn’t really remember how come. But it might have been his parents who started the deed.
smiling Baksh, as he reflected on his past. He, however, added, “When I hear that name I know is somebody who was very close and somebody I know from way back.” Way back for Baksh was in a community called Caledonia on the island of Wakenaam. Wakenaam is an island of about 17.5 square miles or [45 square kilometres] situated at the mouth of the Essequibo River. Baksh recalled it being a rice and coconut farming community back in the day. He learned to drive a tractor in the backdam at a young age which was normal for a young Wakenaam boy. It was normal too for young boys on the island to be very entrepreneurial-minded. “We used to climb coconut trees, pick the coconuts, peel the coconuts, grate them and make coconut oil and sell. We u s e d t o p i c k t h e branches, strip them, and make pointer brooms and sell those too…we used to catch shrimps and sell and even cut grass for people to help the parents,” Baksh recounted. All this he was doing while still at the level of primary school. He attended the Zeelandia Primary School located right on the island. “In a day we would walk a mile to go to school and a mile back home for lunch to eat milk and rice and another mile to go back to school and another back home after,” Baksh recounted as he burst into laughter. “We used to walk bare feet on a dusty road every day to go to school,” he remembered. After sitting Common Entrance, he passed to attend Tutorial High School located in Georgetown. But in order to attend that school in the capital city, he was afforded accommodation at a relative’s home at Hague Front, West Coast Demerara. He recalled learning to take the train at Hague Backdam, which took him to Vreed en Hoop, where he crossed over to Georgetown by steamer. AMBITIOUS VISION An outstanding academic
eme rge successful. “I wanted to do law, so I wanted to go to England to study, but my father wanted me to become a doctor, so he wanted me to study medicine instead, but I was never interested in that,” said Baksh, as he recalled how his dream to become a doctor eventually died a natural death, as did talk about him becoming a doctor and even a pilot, which he’d toyed with for a while. Instead of utilising his GCE subjects to pursue studies in the mainstream professional fields, Baksh, a rebel at the time, opted to vie for a barman position which was being advertised by the then Carib Hotel situated at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown. In fact, he was able to outmatch more than 30 young men who were also vying for the job. “It was difficult; I was
Azeem Baksh, aka ‘Joe’ is a ‘Special Person’ among 38 young men lined up for that job. In those days when you go job-hunting the first thing you use to do was go to Stabroek News, because they used to put out a paper with these vacancy ads outside. So when you got your GCE you were off jobhunting,” Baksh recalled. It wasn’t easy to go jobhunting too, Baksh disclosed even as he remembered the occasions when he didn’t even have the 10 cents required to travel by the yellow bus, which was a common mode of transportation around Georgetown. Back in those days, Baksh remembered that it was the government jobs that paid the best salaries, thus they were the most sought after. The closest he would come
Enjoying some family time.
to one of those, at the time, was when he landed a job with a government contractor. “I was driving a tractor for him…GCE subjects didn’t mean anything, it was knowing to drive a tractor; that tractor licence helped me to get that job,” recounted Baksh. However, when he learnt that a barman position was being advertised, Baksh said that he jumped at the opportunity. But a barman those days, he explained, didn’t merely pour drinks and collect the dollars, rather, they had to learn proper etiquette, which must become second nature to any service provider. “You had to be trained for this job, so you got on the job training…” he recalled. Little did Baksh know that (Continued on page 56)
Sunday December 16, 2018
SIMPLE BEAUTY TIPS FOR MEN 1. MOISTURIZE YOUR SKIN You take care of all the organs inside your body, but what are you doing to care for your largest organ – your skin? An adult carries around about 8 pounds of skin, so you need to make sure it's healthy. Moisture is the number one way to keep your skin healthy. Drink plenty of water. And if your skin still feels a little dry, apply lotion after you shower. Use a body lotion on, well, your body and get a face moisturizer for your face. 2. PROTECT YOUR FACE WHEN YOU SHAVE Shaving can cause irritation and in-grown hairs. Ouch. Plus, men's skin is more prone to sensitivity, so if you're not using a shaving cream when you groom your face, you need to be. Look for shave creams with soothing, anti-oxidant ingredients. We like Aveda's Men Pure-Formance shave cream. If you struggle with redness when you shave, a soothing shave cream will save your skin. Notice we didn't say shave gels. Gels tend to have more alcohol, which increases the risk of dry skin. 3. CLEANSE YOUR FACE Women aren't the only ones who need to wash and cleanse their faces. Pollution, dust, sweat and dirt from just daily activities can clog your pores. At the end of the day, you need to wash your face to clean all that gunk from your skin. Cleansers help remove excess oil, so if you struggle with acne or oil, you'll want to add a daily cleanser into your morning or night routine. 4. USE SHAMPOO FOR MEN shampoo for men Men's scalps are different than women's. A man's scalp is more likely to become itchy, irritated and react poorly to certain ingredients. Because of this, men should use hair products tailored to them. A man's scalp also tends to produce more oil than a women's, so you need a shampoo that can cleanse hair without over drying it. You need to find a shampoo built for men to keep your hair and scalp happy without drying either out. 5. MEN CAN USE CONDITIONER TOO You may have heard that guys don't need conditioner. If your hair is under two inches, you might be able to get by without using it, but if you have longer hair, you'll definitely want to add a bottle of conditioner to you shower shelf. Conditioner will add back any moisture your shampoo strips away. 6. MINIMIZE WRINKLES In addition to keeping skin moisturized, your diet will help keep wrinkles to a minimum. Watery fruits and veggies help with hydration, which keeps skin youthful. Add watermelon, tomatoes, cucumbers and lemons into your diet. Also eat more cabbage. It contains vitamin C and vitamin A, both of which help erase lines. It also detoxifies the blood, and the fiber in cabbage pushes waste and toxins out of the body. Toxins can actually show up on your face, making you look older than you are. 7. EMBRACE THE BROW WAX We're stealing a tip from women. Ladies shouldn't be the only ones grooming their brows. To really enhance their facial features, guys should pluck and groom their brows. Keep the unibrows at bay by plucking on your own. To really get a handsome shape, visit a professional for a waxing.
SOLUTION TO LAST WEEK’S WORD SEARCH
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Kaieteur News
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A Letter from Santa Claus
A painting by FriisNybo
By Mark Twain Mark Twain wrote this letter to his 3 year old daughter from Santa Claus in 1875. You could say he was over the moon for her. Palace of Saint Nicholas in the Moon Christmas Morning My Dear Susy Clemens,I have received and read all the letters which you and your little sister have written me . . . . I can read your and your baby sister's jagged and fantastic marks without any trouble at all. But I had trouble with those letters which you dictated through your mother and the nurses, for I am a foreigner and cannot read English writing well. You will find that I made no mistakes about the things which you and the baby ordered in your own letters--I went down your chimney at midnight when you were asleep and delivered them all myself-and kissed both of you, too . . . . But . . . there were . . . one or two small orders which I could not fill because we ran
out of stock . . . . There was a word or two in your mama's letter which . . . I took to be "a trunk full of doll's clothes." Is that it? I will call at your kitchen door about nine o'clock this morning to inquire. But I must not see anybody and I must not speak to anybody but you. When the kitchen doorbell rings, George must be blindfolded and sent to the door. You must tell George he must walk on tiptoe and not speak-otherwise he will die someday. Then you must go up to the nursery and stand on a chair or the nurse's bed and put your ear to the speaking tube that leads down to the kitchen and when I whistle through it you must speak in the tube and say, "Welcome, Santa Claus!" Then I will ask whether it was a trunk you ordered or not. If you say it was, I shall ask you what color you want the trunk to be . . . and then you must tell me every single thing in detail which you want the
Envy Defeated
FUN WITH POETRY by Uncle Roy
Junior page
trunk to contain. Then when I say "Good-by and a merry Christmas to my little Susy Clemens," you must say Tools & Materials "Good-by, good old Santa Tissue Papers,· · Scissors Claus, I thank you very FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONSSTEP BY STEP BELOW much." Then you must go down into the library and make George close all the doors that open into the main hall, and everybody must keep still for a little while. I will go to the moon and get those things and in a few minutes I will come down the chimney that belongs to Fold a triangle at one end. Fold same triangle again. Open folds. Then fold the ends inward from centers. the fireplace that is in the hall--if it is a trunk you want-because I couldn't get such a thing as a trunk down the nursery chimney, you know . . . .If I should leave any snow in the hall, you must tell George to sweep it into the fireplace, for I haven't time to do such things. George must not use a broom, but a Should result as a cone shape; Cut the tip off and open. Pentagon formed. Fold as shown in 14, 15 and 16. rag--else he will die someday . . . . If my boot should leave a stain on the marble, George must not holystone it away. Leave it there always in memory of my visit; and whenever you look at it or show it to anybody you must let it remind you to be a good little careful. Ask for parental help if it becomes too A tiny pentagon should appear in center. Pinch girl. Whenever you are difficult or use this link for the tutorial: the points and you should get flaps_ turn going naughty and someone points clockwise. Fold the flaps onto each other. Be https://youtu.be/IsXwZ2rFQZE to that mark which your good old Santa Claus's boot made on the marble, what w i l l y o u s a y, l i t t l e sweetheart?
Early to Bed
We all know of what they say: “Early to bed, early to rise”, But many children usually get up late, And do not heed this wise advice. Rising after the sun is up Is not good for your eyes and body; The bright light and heat that you meet Can make you suffer terribly. But when you get up in the early morning, The air is so fresh and sweet, Your whole body feels so great, And your mind is clear and neat. So try this out and you will find Your life becomes so much better; You will be able to do so much more, And everything will become much easier.
Sunday December 16, 2018
by Uncle Roy
TISSUE STAR ORIGAMI CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS
Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Inculcate proper values on which to base your life As a young person, at the brink of the period when what you do will affect your entire future, you have to decide in good time the values which will direct how you will conduct yourself, and deal with the persons and things around, so that you are prepared mentally, psychologically, spiritually and even physically, to withstand the pressures that you will meet that will be acting against your own ambitions, in your achieving the things you want to do, and the way you want to be. Without this direction in your life at the outset of your gaining some sort of independence from your parents and the other guides in your life, you will find yourself as in a boat without a rudder to guide it, and drifting through life subject to all the dangers which the world will undoubtedly thrust in your way. You do not need to look too hard to observe all
around you many examples of those who did not think it necessary to determine beforehand what those choices should be, and who as a result drifted through life and fell by the wayside. You have to develop a value system which will be able to deal with all these pressures through your attitude, through your behaviour, and through the choices you make as you face the various experiences. You have to realise that you have the power to determine your fate with the choices you make on the way. These choices during your younger days will determine the destiny or direction of your entire future. We human beings are so fortunate that our Creator has given us the freedom to decide the type of person we want to be. It is left for you to exercise this gift of freedom to
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Assert Yourself! by Uncle Roy (from his book of poems: “Shape Up Your Personality” soon to be published locally) We all need to be clear, honest and true About our emotions and behaviour, As well as in the way we communicate, To ensure we are correctly assessed by others. make the choices about making the best of yourself by choosing the values by which you want to live. Referring to the list of values which we had mentioned in last week's page, take a sheet of paper and write down those qualities that you most feel would make you into the ideal person that you would like to be. Keep this list in a place where you can refer to it during your normal day. Resolve in your mind to constantly work on your own personality to adopt those qualities, and make it a habit to display them in your thoughts, your speech and your actions.
12 days of christmas
Each must accept responsibility for these aspects That form the crux of his personality, Making no excuses for what may cause some ill, And taking steps to align them properly. Criticisms must be regarded objectively, Examining them first to test validity, Willing to act on the ones we find justified, And casting aside those against our integrity. We need to challenge others' behaviour, Helping them to be self-assertive, Confronting when we sense them acting askew, And leading them gently to being honest and objective. We are to be clear on our own values, Shaping our priorities in accord with those, Being forthright in asking for what we want, And exercising our full ability to choose. Refusals, rebukes and disappointments Should be accepted with courage and faith, And then set aside like the negatives we find In ourselves that discord create. Most of all the self-esteem we need acquire Will keep us directly on our course, Giving us the confidence to pursue our dreams, In fulfilment of our life's purpose.
All human beings need to keep working at self-improvement to fulfil the true purpose of their lives. THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
Solutions to last week’s
Christmas Words Scramble Game
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
Insightful businessman,Azeem Baksh is ... From page 52 this point of his life was merely the start of a very eventful existence. You see, by the time he had gotten the hang of his job, Baksh became smitten by a young woman who encouraged him to travel with her to Aruka River in the North West District. For Baksh, taking this path was all about the intrigue and adventure. “That was something else…we were on a steamer whole day and whole night and can’t reach to where we were going. We eventually reached Morawhanna first, then the second stop, Kumaka Stelling, was the turn back point, and from there you had to join a boat to go a good way up to the Aruka River,” Baksh shared. But with the arrival at the destination came the thought that he might have just happened upon a world which was yet to embrace modern civilisation. It was a locale where farming yam, corn, ginger, sweet potato and such produce was the way of life. “There was no electricity! It was so very different to what I was used to…I wanted to get away and go back home,” Baksh confessed. It might have been the fault of the alluring young woman,
who persuaded him to travel to Aruka River in the first place, but Baksh decided to stay much longer than he’d intended upon arrival. Moreover, the next phase of his North West District adventure was to find a job that could sustain him. At this point he was sure that he couldn’t return to Georgetown to claim back his barman job. He could have easily become the teacher at the catholic school in the area, but refused that offer, since it meant him converting to Christianity. This might have been due to the fact that his life was already overwhelmed with religion, since his father was a Muslim and his mother a Hindu. “I grew up learning about the Hindu and Muslim way of life, but I had to adopt my father’s religion, so I was a Muslim and I didn’t want to change my religion just for a job,” Baksh noted. His continued search for a job took him to Matthew’s Ridge where he recalled the income-earning focus was being shifted from manganese to agriculture. He was able to qualify for a job at the Government Experimental Station, where experiments were carried out to ascertain
A photo op with President David Granger.
which produce would be more feasible to grow. Baksh was later transferred to the Citrus Nursery Station where he was tasked with a great deal of budding and grafting. But since Matthew’s Ridge simply couldn’t hold this young man down, he headed back to Aruka River where he caressed the possibility of buying the produce yielded there and transporting them for resale in Georgetown. Embracing this venture might have been the first time in his adult life that Baksh gained a real appreciation for being an entrepreneur. It was much different from when his father attempted to induct him into the business of rice farming years earlier. He was beginning to take the reins of his life and being at the helm of a thriving business was his vision. But things didn’t go quite the way he planned. He recalled being wrongfully accused of rape and being sentenced to serve a two-year jail term. It could have been the end of his world, but instead that daunting experience opened a portal to a completely different life. He recalled a fellow inmate exposing him to Christianity which, from the confines of his cell, seemed to give all the answers he needed to live a fulfilling life. This naturally was a turning point in his life. A NEW PATH After serving his time, Baksh emerged a ‘new man’ taking up residence initially at a friend’s place at Bonasika, East Bank Essequibo. “I became a Christian and life changed for me…there were miracles after miracles happening in my life,” Baksh recalled.This, however, did not mean that his life was a ‘bed of roses’. To ensure he had a steady income meant doing farm work and even digging drains sometimes. There were times he wasn’t even paid when he completed a job. Baksh was nevertheless ambitious and driven enough to dare envisage a future where the tide would turn in his favour.While farming in Bonasika had the potential to be lucrative, circumstances caused Baksh to abandon such a venture and seek employment as a store keeper with a sawmilling company at
Orangestein, East Bank Essequibo where he’d relocate. But this certainly couldn’t have been the ultimate career goal, especially for Baksh, who had already conceptualised a future for himself that didn’t include him working 12-hour shifts for an employer. By this time too, Baksh was a father and was driven to increase his earnings. He moved on to Cow Island to work as a boat dispatcher. “Things were much better there, but a lot of dishonest things used to go on and I couldn’t have continued there,” recalled Baksh, whose next move was to head to Skull Point in the CuyuniMazaruni region, where he worked with yet another sawmilling company as a Checker. “With the Checker work you couldn’t get doubleshift and with the single shift you could hardly buy food to eat, much less do anything else,” recalled Baksh. Things had gotten so bad financially that he requested a demotion to become a labourer just so he could benefit from the double-shift pay, even if this meant losing the living facilities perks that came with the Checker job. “Some of the guys used to laugh at me after I asked for that demotion but I was focused…I didn’t want to be stuck there for the rest of my life,” Baksh shared. But one day Baksh, still in his 20s, had an epiphany of the course his life was destined to take. He observed a boat arriving on Sunday mornings laden with fruits and fish which, he recalled, would be sold out “in a jiffy”. Indulging in such an affair would see him travelling to Bartica to make the necessary purchases and then returning to sell. He first started with the fruits and then expanded to include fish. Since this venture did not mesh well with his labourer job, Baksh decided to quit that and take on a job as a night-shift security guard. He was not only able to live off of his earnings but even save a little too. But there were those who, from their actions, envied his evident success and attempted to foil same. Instead of being discouraged, Baksh simply took this as a sign to again move on. He headed to Bartica to regroup and start over. It was a difficult task to find a place to rent, but as fate would have it, he was offered temporary accommodation before he was eventually able to find a place to rent. With Bartica being the gateway to the country’s mining locale, Baksh was understandably enticed to venture there. He ended up at a place called Tumatumari and was quickly making a mental note of the needs there. Among them were products such as cigarettes, radio batteries,
In the embrace of his youngest daughter, Vashti. torchlights and whizz. With a savings of $200, Baksh decided to invest in helping to offset the scarcity of these items. The buying and selling venture he embraced was quite lucrative, but what Baksh didn’t know was that he couldn’t engage in such a venture without the necessary permit. He learnt the hard way when he was taken into police custody. But it was after being released that he would have the biggest break of his life. Not only did he gain his first bona fide client to resell products in Tumatumari, but he was offered an apology for the treatment meted out to him by the police force. His client was the coordinator for the ruling party of the day, and incidentally owned a shop that required all, and even more, of the items Baksh was willing to buy and sell. Ultimate SUCCESS Business started to take off and grew even more when one client multiplied into several in what seemed like overnight. He moved from travelling by truck along a lonely trail to flying the friendly skies in a plane to ensure that the needed merchandise reached his clients. But there were even more opportunities than merely buying and selling goods – he was after all in the gold mining region, to which many headed to unlock a brighter future for themselves and family. This became pellucid to Baksh when he learnt to appreciate being paid in gold rather than in cash. And since being a visionary came natural to him, he was soon devising a plan to get into mining too. So successful he became, that Baksh was able to purchase many properties in Bartica which was really beginning to thrive because of gold mining activities. “I started building shops in Bartica, in Mahdia, and I
started to buy properties there and in Bartica too…things were really looking up,” Baksh recalled. He did not keep his success to himself, but rather, brought on board one of his younger brothers too. He was living the life of a king and was even able to build his dream home in Bartica. But this father of seven – Amanda, Anita, Azeem Junior, Deborah, Angela, Jonathan and Vashti – decided to make a radical change in his life when his youngest child [Vashti], who was barely oneyear old at the time, became sick with malaria, even unto the brink of death. This saw him upping and relocating his family to Georgetown. Although his move was unplanned, it certainly did not hamper the success of this business mogul. Currently a resident of Station Street, Kitty, Georgetown, Baksh is still a successful businessman who is always willing to share his knowledge with just about anyone who will listen. He has long come to recognise too that in addition to help from God and a focused vision, the support of his ever-loving wife, Indra, has played a monumental role in helping him to become the outstanding entrepreneur he is today. “My family has always been supportive, especially my wife, she is the backbone of it all…she is the best woman in this world for me,” said Baksh of his wife, even as he stressed the importance of always recognising and appreciating support wherever it is offered. Our choice for ‘Special Person’ today is also an ardent advocate for Guyanese to be more patriotic and see the importance of being loving and respectful to each other, traits he had long found to be very valuable in every aspect of life.
Sunday December 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
Dropping the Ball: Can the Coalition recapture its 2015 voting blocs? This past week I have been asked by a few people for my view on the prospects of the Coalition at the next election. They were all supporters who voted for the collection of parties, but the results of the recently concluded LGE have caused them to ask some serious questions about the ability of the coalition to rally a majority of the electorate again. There is anxiety about the leader’s health and the implications for intra-coalition stability and appeal to the wider electorate. But above all, there are questions about the capacity of the coalition to make up the deficit in time for 2020. They all agreed that the LGE results have sent a chilling message that has implications for who wins in 2020. My honest feeling is that the coalition is up against it. I think the leadership has finally got the message that they have dropped the ball, but my sense is that there is no consensus on how to regain it. I don’t think there is consensus on where, when, how and why the ball was dropped in the first place. I suspect there is a lot of finger-pointing and the attendant blame game. There are also bound to be lots of suggestions on what to do. This is to be expected, but in the end, it would not lead to any serious self-critique on the part of the collective, which is where I think the problem lies. The coalition is a plural entity whose effectiveness
should ultimately lie in its capacity to engage in the praxis of shared governance in its internal and external affairs. But its failure to make good on that promise is one of the major reasons it lost its way so quickly. In other words, the novelty of the coalition was its implicit and explicit promise to move beyond one-party rule. For the multi-ethnic masses who voted for the coalition, including many within the majority African Guyanese constituency, this promise was at the heart of their romance with the new outfit. Even if the PPP were not on board, at least there would be shared governance among the others. Many of us felt that we had finally reached that sweet point in our politics that would open the door to a political solution and a new turn in our independence journey. But as we would soon found out, those who were entrusted to manage this transformation had other ideas, or perhaps no ideas at all. They were collectively not interested in transformation and perhaps incapable of summoning what it takes to begin the process. This is the difficult self-critique that I doubt would emanate from the leadership. Already, we are hearing that Ministers would be summoned to go into the communities. But as one of my close friends asked—what are they going into the communities to tell the people? You must
have something to tell those people who in three years moved from a high of elevated expectations to a low of frustration and disdain. Some of us very early in the tenure of the government pointed out that we were in the presence of something historic—that half of the electorate had given a group of parties a chance to fix our badly battered independence—to mend our broken heart, as Al Green memorably crooned not many moons ago. David Granger was transformed into the man with a vision—a political rock-star if ever there was one. But nobody in high office listened or cared to listen. They settled down quickly into the mode of being just another government. And that is where they began to lose their supporters and their supporters began to lose interest in them. That’s where the ball was dropped. But the leaders never noticed that they had no ball in hand, because they were too busy soaking up the “balls” of power. The late Kwame Apata captured this scenario in a poem called “Balls” which we used to perform in Buxton in the 1970s. So, now that it has been revealed that there is no ball in hand, the challenge is where and how to locate it. I can tell you it’s not in the inability of Ministers to go into the communities. It’s not in Jagdeo’s hands. It’s not in voter apathy. It’s not in the diaspora. It’s in the capacity
The Baccoo Speaks Just as I said, there is a mad rush by some to get nowhere and they are going there fast. The road fatalities keep mounting and in the coming days there would be even more. A motorcyclist would be in such a hurry that he is going to collide with a car heading in the same direction. He is going to survive but his pillion rider would not be so fortunate. ** The police presence is keeping a lid on some
criminal activities, especially those in the crowded areas where shoppers frequent. But there are times when the pressure will give, as would be the case of some young
criminals, one of whom would have just left school. Their parents are not going to enjoy a good Christmas. ** More electrocutions would occur. A piece of wire that is connected to the mains would be the source of grief for a man who should not be attempting to make any connection, illegal though it is. One individual who would rush to his aid is also going to suffer, although not as severely.
or incapacity of the leadership to craft a short-term message and strategy to convince the constituencies which voted for the coalition in 2015 to come back to the fold. And that’s where the challenge is. It has to be a multi-pronged strategy and message. There is need to convince that small but decisive Indian Guyanese independent group to come back—an almost impossible task. That was the AFC constituency that it easily surrendered. My “padnas,” Nagamootoo and Ramjattan preferred the trappings of high power than the activism on the ground, the policy interventions and the independent praxis within the coalition that were needed to hold that group. They dropped that ball like hot potato. You were never going to hold that group by shying away from going into the sugar communities and rapping to them about sugar reform. You were never going to keep them by endorsing every ugly move of the PNC wing of the coalition. You were never going to keep them by avoiding serious groundings on race and racial solidarity in a frank and open way. There was need to talk to and nurture the independent Indian Guyanese youth who are not “biologically” PPP. There is need to convince
Amerindians who voted for the coalition to stay the course. But that doesn’t look good either. There is no effective Amerindian-grounded party or leadership within the coalition that is equipped to do that kind of work. The new Amerindian party is going to split the anti-PPP Amerindian vote. For reasons which we would never discuss in polite company, any political entity perceived as African Guyanese would always have the hardest time holding the political loyalty of that section of the electorate. That is why the Coalition dropped the ball when it projected itself as PNC and allowed itself to frame as such. A PNC-led coalition was the sure way to lose your Indian Guyanese and Amerindian constituencies. Finally, there is need to convince African Guyanese independents to give the coalition another look. This group is not going to be swayed by anti-Jagdeo rhetoric or a few infrastructural improvements. Much of this group is young and they cut across socioeconomic class. They exist among vendors, teachers, public servants, students, entrepreneurs, the unemployed and the Rastas. They understand the Black condition and knew exactly what they
Dr. David Hinds wanted this government to do in that regard. They were cynical about politics prior to the rise of APNU and the Coalition, and they were the first to jump ship in the post-2015 period. They do not get their political nourishment from PNC orthodoxy. They are open to Power Sharing and Multiethnicity. To win them back you have to get into their minds and you have to come good. They are not going PPP, but as they have shown in the past—check the WPA and the AFC rise to prominence—they are open to new possibilities. More of Dr. Hinds ‘writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.news. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com
Sunday December 16, 2018
Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj dies Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj passed away suddenly yesterday at the Woodlands Hospital. He was 65. Persons close to the former Minister stated that he was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical attention shortly before he succumbed. Gajraj held the ministerial post in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration under former President Bharrat Jagdeo between1999 and 2005. In a statement, the PPP expressed deep shock at the sudden passing of Gajraj. According to the party, Gajraj was also a very loyal and dedicated supporter of the Party and extended sympathies and condolences to his wife, Chandra Gajraj, and his children, Aparna and Ranveer.Gajraj was forced to resign from Government under local and foreign diplomatic pressure, particularly from the Americans due to allegations linking him to the activities of a known group, ‘phantom squad’, a parallel security group that targeted criminals during an era described as one of the deadliest in Guyana’s modern history. His resignation followed a Jagdeo-appointed Commis-
Former Home Affairs Minister Ronald Gajraj sion of Inquiry that absolved him of any wrongdoing. “Mr Gajraj will best be remembered for the pivotal role he played as Home Affairs Minister in the fight against crime at a very challenging time of this nation’s history,” the PPP stated.Following his resignation from Government, he was appointed Guyana’s High Commissioner to India. He subsequently resigned from diplomatic service and returned to Guyana where he kept a relatively low profile.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
Judge failed to consider mitigating factors for murder convict - lawyer argues on appeal Arguing that Trial Judge Navindra Singh failed to consider mitigating factors for his client, Quaison Jones, who was sentenced to 57 years jail on a murder conviction, Attorney-at-Law Ronald Burch-Smith, has noted that the judge’s reasoning was “unusual and erroneous.” Jones, 61, called ‘Blondie’, a fish vendor, was convicted by a jury for the January 17, 2011 murder of Marlon Greene, which occurred at the Meadow Bank Wharf, Georgetown. According to reports, on the day in question some fish cleaners were attracted by loud hollering and when they ran to the location they allegedly observed Jones cuffing away at Greene. It was reported that a closer look revealed that Jones was armed with a knife, and there were bloodstains on the blade. Greene’s windpipe and jugular vein were severed, according to the Pathologist. His cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage. Following the conviction and sentence in 2014, Jones, through his Attorney, filed an appeal contesting the severity of the sentence and the issue of misdirection by the Trial Judge Navindra Singh, who imposed the jail term. Hearing the appeal last week were Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices of Appeal Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud. Burch-Smith took issue with the Trial Judge starting at a base of 60 years, and only deducted three years for time his client spent in pre trial custody, arriving at the 57 year sentence. It is Bruch-Smith’s view that the Trial Judge adopted a sentence tariff without any basis, noting that the Trial Judge also failed to consider that his client has no previous antecedents. Citing the case of Angelique Williams, 21, who was sentenced to eight years jail by Justice Singh, and was released about a month ago on parole, for killing her best friend whom she stabbed some 22 times, Burch-Smith contended that a sentence ranging from seven to 10 years would be appropriate for his client if the Court was mindful to substitute the murder conviction with manslaughter. The lawyer noted the fact that Williams, who was indicted for murder, threw herself at the mercy of the
MURDERED: Marlon Greene
CONVICTED KILLER: Quaison Jones Court when she opted to plead guilty to the lesser offence manslaughter, as against his client who contested the charge against him. Pleading with the court to vary the 57 years to reflect the time his client already spent in custody, Burch-Smith submitted that remitting the case to the High Court for a new trial would not be fitting. In her arguments Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Diana Kaulesar, whom the appeal was filed against, said that the Trial Judge was correct when he withdrew Jones’s defence of self defence since it did not arise based on the evidence adduced at trial stage. Citing the Judge’s summation, Kaulesar said that it was noted that the deceased was lying on his back and could not be the aggressor, hence she ruled out the defence of self defence. From the evidence, Kaulesar said it was clear that Jones was the one armed with the knife, and further, was not in any danger as being claimed. According to Kaulesar, at the sentencing stage Jones’s lawyer had presented a plea in mitigation during which it was stated that he was a first time offender, a father and a (continued on page 67)
Sunday December 16, 2018
STANDARDS IN FOCUS Consumers! Install and use your decorative lights in a safe manner this holiday Whether it’s for the decoration of your home this Christmas, a party or any special occasion, decorative lights can really add to the atmosphere. However, as with any electrical outfit, decorative lights also need to be properly installed to ensure they don’t become a threat to users as fire hazards. The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), under its Standards Compliance Programme, monitors Christmas Tree and Decorative Lighting outfits according to the requirements of the National Standard to ensure conformance and safe use. The Bureau aims to ensure that caution is taken during the selection, installation and use of decorative lights and recommends that consumers adhere to the following tips relating to decorative lights this holiday season: Look for the safety approval mark- Decorative lights for sale must comply with relevant safety standards. It is illegal in many countries to offer decorative lights for sale without the necessary safety approval. Decorative lights must be tested for safety and approved for use by an independent testing and certification body. Determine if lights are for indoor or outdoor use - If you are going to use the decorative lighting outdoors make sure it is suitable for outdoor use. Never use indoor lighting outside because the insulation on the wires is not suitable for wet or windy weather and may result in fires, electric shocks and/or injuries to people. Check lights before use If you are re-using lights from a previous occasion, ensure that they are free of defects such as damaged wires, burnt-out bulbs or loose connections. New lights also have to be checked and this can be done by laying them along the floor to check that no bulbs are loose or missing. Plug in the light set
temporarily to check if all the bulbs are working. Always, unplug the light set from the power source before replacing the bulbs. Use new bulbs of the same type and wattage to avoid the lighting set overheating which could cause a fire. When preparing your lights ensure you never turn on the light set while it is in the box or modify or cut a set of lights including the plug and fuse elements. Regularly monitor your lighting for faulty and burnt-out bulbs and replace them immediately. When mounting your lights keep them away from paper, cardboard, curtains, material and other flammable material to minimise the risk of accidental fire especially if you want to leave your lights turned on overnight. It is also important that you do not place the lights near metal foils – e.g foils from Christmas trees or other decorations. Always use plastic clips or hooks to mount the lights – never use metal pins, nails or staples to mount your lights.Do not connect one set of lights to another unless it is designed for that purpose – connecting lighting sets can cause overloading of the circuit. When setting up outdoor decorative lights - Only use lights intended to be used outdoors and weatherproof your extension leads with handy accessories that cover and protect plugs. Secure the lights firmly to ensure they aren’t broken or damaged in wind or storms and turn off your decorative outdoor lights during storms and rain. The GNBS would like all consumers to put safety first during the use of decorative lights during this holiday season, even as they enjoy their decorative lighting displays. For further information on this subject, call the GNBS on Telephone number: 219-0065 or 219-0069 or visit the Bureau’s website: www.gnbsgy.org
Judge failed to consider... From page 66 productive member of society. Kaulesar said that if the court were to find that the defence of self defence was not properly put to the jury, then a retrial would be in the best interest of justice. But Burch-Smith disagreed arguing that his client would have to spend at least another three years on remand.
However, Kaulesar pointed out that the Court can order that the trial be heard in the next Demerara Assizes which commences on the second Tuesday of next month, after a ruling is made on the appeal. The Court of Appeal has announced that it will rule in the matter on Thursday, December 20 at 11:30hrs.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Magistrates look forward to new courts for criminal offences
SERVICES
FOR SALE
PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION, W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620
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We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer-Call: 231-0655; German Shepherd pups & husky pup for sale. Contact 683-8734. Omar Devi #639-2828/225-3721 HOUSE PLAN DRAWING Going cheap, great Christmas OR IF YOU NEED A gift. ESTIMATE. #216-0671/6928464/622-0267 FB Black pudding, White K . L A K E R A M pudding, Souse, Pastries, Black cake, Fruit cake. Place CONSTRUCTION orders # 613-5062 Repairs at affordable prices: TO LET fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, Furnished self-contained microwaves & freezer-Call: rooms & 1 bedroom apt 610-5846 or 661-8158 (Herstelling Moca road) #660Royal’s Beauty Salon located 0600/622-8166 @ Parika Highway 2nd floor, Furnished, Air conditioned Grand Christmas Promotion. two bedroom bottom flat, First Call#697-2780 Phase in South Riumveldt Gardens. Call: 618-8436 Need a Land surveyor, we do surveys for: Boundaries, Leases, Engineering, Cadastral topo etc. Call: 6622677
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Demerara Bakery Inc. is looking for Distributors, Wholesalers & Retailers. Call us on 266-5847 or email: sales@demerarabakery.com
Salon for rental, New Market St, Georgetown, also hair/ nails/barber/massage. Makeup stations for rental #638-1106 1 Apt for rent- Bottom flat for rent, for business. Contact Radica Kassim #264-2639 Lot 7-8 Plantain Walk WBD Mini excavator $8,800 per hour, also Bobcat service available. Tel#623-0290 New 4 Storey Building at Parika (Guyana’s Gateway) near stelling. Willing to divide. Call: 699-4513. Apartments for rent @ Nandy Park $60,000 #6413318 1-3 bedroom house fully furnished $ 1-2 Bedroom. All modern conveniences. please call: 652-3678 Parking & Proper security available. Newly constructed 2 bedroom house and apt in a safe and healthy environment. Call: 698-6496/ 622-6512 PROPERTY FOR SALE 22 Hill St, Alboystown $7.5M Negotiable. Contact Shirley McCalmont #718345-1416 Royston #516853-4213/683-5664/6779938 3 storyed commercial buliding for sale in Diamond. Contact owners on #676-8129/643-8348 Large 3 bedroom classic house in solid condition-all amenities, huge yard, security. Call: 609-7766/225-8427. Price neg, Versailles WBD FOR SALE/RENT American Pool table. Tel#2770578
ENTERTAINMENT Big G Sounds is available for small events. (Wedding, Small BBQ, Birthday parties etc) Contact numbers #6619931/622-5713/672-9293
FOR RENT
VEHICLE FOR SALE Nissan Laurel Executice antique car, Nissan Pathfinder 4-door Jeep. Superb condition. Price Neg. Call your price. Tel#609-7766/ 225-8427 Toyota Rav 4 white excellent condition price $2.5M. Tel# 683-2721
Prime land & buildings- 4 minutes’ drive from Soesdyke Junction on the Linden Highway road side. #652-3678 LEARN TO DRIVE N. Outar Driving School, Learn to Drive the right way. Affordable package. Call: 644-5166/691-2561
Continuing along the path of providing for restorative justice to society, Magistrates are looking forward to the new courts that will be provided to handle certain criminal offences. Just last week Minister of Public Security Khemraj
We buy land in Eccles, Herstelling, Farm, Parfaite Harmonie, Uivlugt, Zeelugt, Providence & Dairy Tel# 6117223/651-1969 Beautician, Nail Technician, must be qualified & have atleast 1 year in salon experience. Salary/ VACANCY Commission. Contact#6266450 Chef and Assistant cook. Call us on 225-7933 or visit 172 Wanted experienced taxi hire Sheriff Street. car driver at Ramada Princess hotel. Contact# 616-5419/265- Female Cleaner, Office & Home. Age 25-50. Call: 2337075 2745 One maid. #621-3080 Live in Maid. Call# 233-3041/ 672-3886 Wanted 1 person to look after cattle in Mahaicony Creek. Paralegal, must have Immigration experience & #619-9143/614-8857 Excellent communication Person to work and live on skills. Please send CV’s to: Poultry Farm at Yarakabra. Call: moses@rambarranlawfirm.com 226-0772/225-9304 One female domestic to work in Trinidad Age 25-35 yrs. Phone#1868-386-5302 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665/6493750 Experienced workers for land dredge #629-8280 Wanted urgently- Male/ Female Security Officers with Security experience. 35-55 Call: 671-4525 1 Handyboy/man must be honest- 1 live-in Nanny/Maid living accomodation & meals provided free. #228-5655/6498449 1 Experienced Hiab Truck Driver. Contact#650-0402/6031402
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Ramjattan indicated that a drug treatment court will be established to deal with nonviolent drug offenders. This will see persons having the opportunity to go through proper treatment, rehabilitation and recovery support systems. Among the courts intended are courts for domestic disputes and juvenile cases. On Friday, systems were already put in place for matters to be transferred to the juvenile court to begin hearing. A Magistrate stated, “A drug addict appeared in court and admitted to the fact that he is addicted to drugs and would like help. I believe that with these courts we will see persons who are in a better position to understand these cases and add the right measures to deal with these offenders.” One added that, “With the right resources and the direct knowledge to deal with these issues, we can see great improvement in the judicial system as we would have more time to deal with the serious cases. “Therefore I am looking forward to the help in the minor issues.”
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A taxi driver from West Coast Demerara, Mohamed Hoseain, 51, a father of four, has insisted that he has no association with a story that was published in last Sunday’s edition, on 9th December 2018. Mr Hoseain said that a US Virgin Islands online news wrongly pulled off his photo from his Facebook account and associated him with three men who were convicted in a major drug bust. “I am not convicted. I am in Guyana. The online news made a scandalous mistake. The man who is convicted is over 70; I am 51,” Mr Hoseain said.
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Sunday December 16, 2018
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Kaieteur News
CONSUMER CONCERNS
NEW BISCUITS LAUNCH - REAL VALUE FOR MONEY By PAT DIAL The Guyana Consumers Association and indeed the Guyanese public as a whole have always welcomed the launch of any locally made products which achieved standards comparable to the best imported from abroad since such quietly awakened a sense of national pride. Guyanese, a muchtraveled people, are pleased to discover that many of the foods they find in the Developed Countries are the same as they produce in their homeland, and sometimes better. A few weeks ago, Banks DIH the main producer in Guyana of industrially baked biscuits, launched two new biscuit products - Midwest Tea Biscuits and Midwest Cookies and upgraded the Triskets range with improved packaging and baking techniques. The Trisket range, we may remind readers, consists of the delightfully crisp ovalshaped vanilla cookies and the whole wheat and white round crackers which are already widely accepted locally and in some Caribbean markets. The motto of the Guyana Consumers Association is “Value for Money”. It would not recommend or endorse a product simply because it was locally produced; the local product must either be equal to or superior to the foreign one and should be sold competitively. Accordingly, we asked 20 of our members who were experienced in pastries and biscuits and who had the necessary enthusiasm to sample the newly launched Midwest Tea Biscuits and Midwest Cookies and the upgraded Trisket range and give their studied responses so that the Association may be able to give a fair assessment of the new products for the benefit of consumers. The 20-person panel was posed four reactions to which the members had a week and a half to respond: Firstly, whether the taste and enjoyment were positive; secondly, how did the local product compare with the equivalent foreign imports; thirdly, the packaging and presentation of the products; and fourthly, whether in view of the large assortment of foreign biscuits imported, there was need for a new local brand. The panel gave a very high rating to both the Midwest Tea and Cookies as well as to the upgraded Triskets:The new Midwest range was inviting. The (cookies) were not too sweet as some
foreign imports were, and could be used as a snack at any time of day. The Midwest cookies went well with coffee. The Trisket range maintained its previous quality and was further improved with the new presentation. At the risk of being accused of hyperbole, the new packaging was revolutionary and this was the general feeling of all samplers. The Midwest Tea was in a handy blue and gold packet containing five cellophane wrapped packs of five biscuits each. The Midwest cookies were similarly packed but in a ruby red packet. Prominently placed on each packet was health warning that no transfat was used and telephone number and email which consumers could contact. Expiry dates were clearly written as well as the ingredients of the biscuits. The Triskets were equally attractively packed using much blue. The tea biscuits were cut into rectangular shape while the cookies were square. And each biscuit had embossed clovers indicating luck, faith, hope and love. The Triskets were cut into circular shape and were in handy packages. The use of smaller packets allows the consumer to consume only what he or she requires, leaving the rest of the packets unopened and fresh. All samplers felt that the launch of the new biscuits and the upgrading of the Trisket range were timely and necessary since consumers could now enjoy fresh biscuits and that the market would now have a Guyanese product equivalent to the best imports within its range at a competitive price. Actually, an assortment of these biscuits could make a very fine Christmas gift. In this column, in the past, we have mentioned Guyanese made products which are world class and so acknowledged in foreign markets. Yet Guyanese are often oblivious of the worldclass bargains they have at their door-step. For example, the DDL rums, especially the 15-yearold and 12-year-old are found in all the world’s major airports and famous bars. Yet one may find Guyanese occasionally buying inferior foreign rums. Similarly, the sweets, curries, spices and pastas produced by the Edward B, Beharry Co have the highest ISO ratings and are sought after in foreign markets. Despite the very competitive prices, consumers could still be found buying foreign inferior products.
Coconut oil has become one of the oils most in demand in the world both because of its health value and because it could reverse dementia. Two companies in
the Pomeroon produce high grade refined and virgin coconut oil yet consumers buy inferior foreign vegetable oil. The same trend applies to
turmeric grown in the NorthWest District (Region I). Tumeric has now been recognized as a healthy food and at the same time an antidote or treatment for
several diseases including Alzheimer and its demand is growing exponentially in the Developed Countries. Yet its use locally is growing very slowly.
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Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
Armed men invade Chinese Speeding car slams into taxi driver store in New Amsterdam
Chinese store
A popular Chinese store located near the M. Ali Gas Station at Strand, New Amsterdam was stormed by three armed men Friday night at approximately 7:30 pm. The perpetrators who were all masked, invaded the Dong Fang Trading Store and held the owner and a staff at gunpoint while they demanded cash. Reports are that the men sported bag packs and rags to conceal their identity. The men after spending less than 30 minutes inside, bagged $2M in cash and two cellular phones before making good their escape.
Ranks from the Central Police Station located a minute away from the store, arrived shortly after. Police ranks were also expected to be visible during the Christmas season and the commercial areas where the hustle and bustle is evident. The Chinese Store is a hot spot for business during this time in New Amsterdam but persons claimed that there were no ranks out in that area. Meanwhile, the Commander of B’ Division Paul Langevine confirmed that six persons are in police custody for the robbery.
A taxi driver is now in a serious condition in the New Amsterdam Hospital after he was struck down by a speeding car on the Sheet Anchor, East Canje Public Road. The accident occurred around 06:00 hrs on Friday. Injured is Michael Wilson, called Michael Parris, or “Cow”, 56, of Goed Bananen Land, East Canje Berbice. Reports are that Parris was heading towards New Amsterdam when he stopped his car HB 6550. He had crossed the road to assist a passenger with her load to enter his car. He was in the process of returning to his car with the load. At the same time motor car PLL 7562 driven by Rolston Brisport, 31, of Litchfield, West Coast Berbice was reportedly heading towards the New Amsterdam Hospital with a pregnant mother at a fast rate of speed when he struck Parris.
the speeding car involved in the accident As a result of the impact, Parris landed on the bonnet of the car and passed through the windscreen. He was subsequently taken to the hospital by the same vehicle where he was admitted for emergency treatment. He suffered serious injuries to his head, shoulder,
hands and feet. His condition has been listed as serious. A breathalyzer test administered on Brisport showed no trace of alcohol. A more than 100 feet skid mark was on the road in the vicinity of the accident. The driver has been arrested and remains in custody as investigation continues.
Four Guyanese fishermen detained in Suriname waters
Four Guyanese men were detained by Suriname authorities during a river patrol on Wednesday. The men were reportedly without a valid permit to fish in Surinamese waters. A 48-horsepower outboard engine, a quantity of fishing nets, 22 kg of fish, two automo-
tive, two gas cylinders, a cooler and the boat were seized. A senior police source in Suriname relayed that the fishermen are expected to pay a fine and is to be released. The fish seized will be donated to a children’s home in the Dutch country.
Robbery sprees worrying although police trying to curb them Although the police force would have recorded an 18% decrease in serious crimes, citizens are still worried about the simple larcenies that are taking place in and around Georgetown. According to a member of the public, “Since the East Bank Bus Park moved, it has come to a very remote area which hardly has any police around. It is difficult to be able to get transportation.” This growing plight has caused persons to spend a longer time on the bus park which in turn may eventually expose that person to being a victim to thieves. An incident was recently observed where a group of young men approached another, and quickly surrounded him. The group proceeded to relieve him of whatever valuables he had and ran away. The poor fellow who was left in shock slowly walked away. A terrify video which was circulated on
social media, showed two young men within the vicinity of Demico House by the Stabroek Market, approaching a young man. One grabbed him by the neck while the other took away his possessions. Reports from persons who traverse that area frequently indicate that almost every night someone unfortunately falls prey to these criminal acts. Some persons even expressed fear of walking the streets of their own country as persons are hunting for what is not theirs.The police force would have implemented measures to curb these acts in and around the Georgetown area. There are 24hour patrols throughout housing schemes, busy areas and business places. During the day and up to 7pm there are police on foot going through areas. Moreover persons can report criminal activities to the nearest police station to receive further assistance.
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Seaman missing after swept from trawler N
avishwar Karamdatt, c a l l e d “Sharma”, a 33-year-old seaman attached to Pritipaul Investment and working on one of their vessels named MV Snoek 1, was swept from the vessel in a freak accident around 10:00 hours Wednesday last. In CCTV footage of the incident, which was viewed by Kaieteur News, it could be seen that two seamen, one being “Sharma”, were in the process of setting baskets into the sea from the deck of the MV Snook 1. The sea at the time was fairly turbulent and caused the trawler to roll from side to side in a violent manner. The basket that “Sharma” was holding on to at the time hit him down causing him to slide from where he was at one side on the deck to the other side and then overboard. His partner after realizing what had happened could be seen running to raise an alarm, while “Sharma” could still be seen in the water. What transpired after, resulting in “Sharma” being missing, is unclear since the one minute, eleven second video did not
show the rescue attempt. All of this occurred some 100 miles out into the Atlantic Ocean. The MV Snook 1 had left the Houston wharf on December 3 for a threeweek trip with its crew, which consisted of its captain, 24year-old Chrishnadat Sukhdeo, called “Panter” and four crew members— 23-year-old Jonathan DeFreitas, of Lot 1517 Section B, Block X, Great Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD; 17-year-old Vidprikash Sukhdeo of Lot 1123 17th Street, Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD; 34-year-old Pritviraj Seewnarine of Lot 1113 16th Street, Section C, Block X, Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD and “Sharma” who resides at Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD. Police in a statement said after the MV Snook 1 returned to the Houston wharf about 05:50 hours yesterday, the captain was taken into custody and further investigation into the alleged disappearance of the missing crew member commenced. The captain in a statement to police, stated that on Wednesday last he was piloting the vessel when he heard shouts of “Man overboard,
Screen shot from video footage, showing Navishwar Karamdatt called “Sharma” being swept off the MV Snook 1.
man overboard”. He said that when he focused he saw “Sharma” somewhere off in the distance overboard. He claimed he immediately turned around the vessel but he was unable to get to “Sharma” in time and despite efforts by other members of the crew, “Sharma” went under the water and did not emerge again. The captain claimed he called his boss, and was told to return with the vessel to
Qualified persons needed before police aviation unit is established
P
ublic Security Min ister, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will get its promised aviation unit, but could not commit to it being established in 2019. Ramjattan disclosed that work will start on the unit next year. “We will have to start getting very qualified people to look after airplane maintenance, pilots and so on. It’s an ongoing process, but we are going to get there. I cannot say we will get there in 2019, but certainly work will start,” Ramjattan disclosed. The aviation unit is listed as one of the key components for the GPF’s modernization plans. Earlier this year, two United Kingdom (UK) experts undertook a full review of Guyana’s aviation crime fighting capabilities. The two men were experts attached to AECOM UK, a global network of experts working with clients, communities to develop and implement innovative solutions to the world’s most complex challenges. The review did not cover the entire aviation sector, but was curtailed to security capabilities in keeping with the remit of Lt. Col (Ret’d) Russell
Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan Combe who is the UK-funded security sector advisor to President, David Granger. The outcome of the review is expected to help determine what improvements may be required. Lt. Combe, whose office was housed at the Ministry of the Presidency during his one-year tenure in Guyana, presented a final report of the security sector reform project to President Granger at State House in January. The UK security expert has received a commitment from the President that he will get a further contract extension through to 2019 to help implement the recommendations contained in the report. Lt. Combe described the report as a dynamic document
that places emphasis on the Guyana Police Force and includes recommendations for improvement of the criminal justice system, the Guyana Coast Guard and the Guyana Prison Service. The UK, Combe outlined, doesn’t want to see the report sitting on the shelf gathering dust.There were previous attempts made to train ranks to become aircraft pilots but those plans shelved under the People’s Progressive Party administration, but no funds were ever allocated for the programme. Applications were received from a number of ranks and interviews were conducted. In the end, 15 officers were selected and were ready to be trained.
the wharf. The other crew members which includes a brother-in-law of “Sharma”,
all gave similar accounts of what transpired. The MV Snook 1 is presently docked
at Pritipaul Wharf at Houston, as police continue their investigations.
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Sunday December 16, 2018
China takes control of more Ports as Belt and Road Initiative spreads to Latin America Latin America is now high on China’s radar as the superpower continues its quest to gain control of the world. China’s heightened interest in the Latin America is flaunted through its extravagant but stained Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese interests in Latin American commercial ports combine military and economic aspects that align with the goals of its Belt and Road Initiative. With this initiative, the Chinese government intends to connect Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas via roads, railways, and oil and gas pipelines. Recently, a digital military magazine—Dialogo—reported that Latin American countries are increasingly handing over control and development of port terminals to Chinese companies. Guyana could have been in a similar boat. A few years ago, under the rule of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government, China was willing to support the construction of a deep water harbour in Guyana. Luckily, this was scrapped. However, Guyana partnered with China on many other ventures includ-
ing the controversial Cheddi Jagan International Airport Expansion project that is said to be grossly overpriced. For that project, Guyana borrowed US$138M from China. A huge loan was also taken from China for the Skeldon Factory that proved to be a complete waste of money. The Skeldon factory was built at a cost of US$200M, US$40M of that sum was sourced from China. Guyana is still repaying that loan while not getting the use of the factory. Also, Guyana took a US$39.6M loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. This was used for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) transmission line dubbed another waste of money. A few years after those deals were made, the PPP/C was removed and APNU +AFC took over. The coalition, while in opposition, lamented how vulnerable Guyana made itself to China through the many loans taken and projects on which Chinese contactors were involved. However, recently, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge signed on to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China, making way for projects to be de-
The Panamá Colón Container Port taken over by China
veloped under the Belt and Road Initiative. This is the same initiative recently highlighted by Dialogo. Dialogo stated that Latin America seems to be an easy target for China as the region is hungry for infrastructural development and most countries do not have the money
to invest. Dialogo said, “…China is slowly taking over the region’s strategic trade and defense points. The tactic is clear, and China uses it in other parts of the world: money for ports in exchange for power.”The magazine highlighted Panamá, a country with two of the most important ports in the region— Colón and Balboa. Panama is one of the nations in China’s line of sight. The Dialogo stated, “The Chinese company— Landbridge Group—is building the Panamá Colón Container Port, a terminal for neopanamax ships, with an investment of more than US$1 billion. In addition, China’s Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. is building a port station for cruises in the Amador area.”The magazine pointed out that closer to
Guyana, in Brazil, stateowned Chinese company Merchants Port controls the Paranaguá Port, the second largest in the country surpassed only by the Santos Port. To gain control of the terminal, the Asian company bought Brazilian company Terminal de Contêineres Paranaguá, which managed the port, for $935 million in 2017. In 2017, the Chinese company China Construction showed interest in developing and funding infrastructure in Mexico’s most important port, Manzanillo. Many Chinese business people are also interested in investing in the special economic zone Mexico seeks to develop around Lázaro Cárdenas Port, in Michoacán state. The initiative needs an initial investment of $90 million, and fo-
cuses on promoting metallurgic and steel industries near the port. Further, Dialogo reported that in Peru, the Chinese company—Cosco Shipping— will develop Chancay Port with an investment of about $2 billion. The governments of Colombia and China signed a memorandum of understanding in 2016, enabling the Asian nation to develop a series of projects near Buenaventura Port. China promised an investment of $16 million in the area. The magazine also noted that in Uruguay, Chinese company Shangdong Baoma Fishery propelled in 2016 the development of a fishing port requiring $200 million. Apart from the terminal, the plan includes building a plant to store fishing equipment and the manufacture fishmeal.
Local Gov’t Commission still deliberating... From page 14 will be making the determination as to which of the recommendations in the CoI they will act on,” Bulkan told the National Assembly. ”I don’t propose that the Ministry will be a hindrance in that process,” Bulkan stated. The CoI report was handed over on November 30, last, by lone Commissioner Justice Cecil Kennard (ret’d) to Chairman of the Local Government Commission (LGC), Mortimer Mingo. The CoI found grounds to terminate embattled Town Clerk, Royston King, and institute criminal proceedings against him. Among them is a call for criminal investigations to be pursued against several senior city officials.
The report obtained by Kaieteur News indicated that other senior officers be terminated for their poor management of the affairs of the city; and that where irregularities are found, criminal investigation and charges be laid against defaulting officers. In light of the findings, the CoI recommends that there be further investigations in the form of a forensic audit to be conducted by the Audit Office of Guyana. The report calls for officers to be disciplined even as that audit is being conducted. The senior officers listed included, King, who was sent on leave to facilitate the CoI. King is cited for gross misconduct, abuse of office, recklessness, dishonesty, conspiracy, and misappropriation
of funds.Also listed in the report are Acting Town Clerk, Sharon Harry-Munroe who is cited for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Assistant Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Internal Auditor, Omodele Umojo-Newton for incompetence and conspiracy; Chief Constable, Andrew Foo for dereliction of duty and incompetence; Human Resources Manager, Paulette Braithwaite for incompetence; City Engineer, Colvern Venture for incompetence and dereliction of duty; and Rashid Kelman for conspiracy. Further, the report noted that City Treasurer, Ron Mc Calmon, should proceed on early retirement as he is unwell.
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City back on top as Jesus double sinks Everton
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus scores their second goal v Everton at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. (REUTERS/Andrew Yates)
Sunday December 16, 2018 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Let your fun-loving nature come out to play today. As the day progresses, the clouds are likely to move in. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your thoughts may be scattered and frantic early in the days, but things should settle down by evening. Your emotions will be more stable and you will be much more disciplined about tasks that need completion. GEMINI (May 21–June 2 0 ) Communicate your feelings early in the day, because by evening you might feel too restricted to want to socialize with anyone. CANCER(June21–July22) Things will get much easier and more controlled as the day progresses. People's superficial attitudes and idle chatter will give way to more realistic and deep-seated conversations as the evening hours draw near. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today may be a rough day in which you find it hard to make a decision about anything. Refrain from making any major moves regarding finances or real estate. Concentrate on you and the answers will come from within. Be realistic and practical when it comes to your emotions. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You might find it hard to connect with anyone on a deep and meaningful level today, Virgo, so just free yourself and have a good time. Take a more refined and disciplined approach to your projects.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Get the party started early in the day, Libra. You may be running from task to task, but this is OK. You have the ability to get a lot done by multitasking and keeping things light. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Bring your thoughts down to Earth, Scorpio, especially later tonight. You may be flip-flopping through the day like a fish out of water, but suddenly things start to fall into place at sundown. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The earlier portion of the day is apt to flow much more smoothly than the later part, Sagittarius. You should get things solidified right off the bat, if possible. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This may be a frenzied day for you, Capricorn, but it's likely to settle down as evening sets in. It will be a tender night in which you should stick close to home and get organized. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You should be on cloud nine today, Aquarius. As evening sets in, however, things might get a little too heavy for your comfort. People will have had enough of your gossip by then, so give it a rest. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Lie low during the day and try not to get caught up in the frivolous verbiage that dominates the waking hours. After sundown, feel free to speak your mind.
(Reuters) - MANCHESTER CITY 3 EVERTON 1 Gabriel Jesus scored twice as Manchester City beat Everton 3-1 at The Etihad Stadium yesterday to pile the pressure on Premier League title rivals Liverpool, who host Manchester United today. The win takes Pep Guardiola’s side, who lost for the first time in the league this season with a 2-0 loss at Chelsea last week, back to the top with a two-point advantage over Liverpool. It was not a vintage performance but City avoided a second straight slip-up, silencing any suggestion that they may be about to stutter in their title defence. “The players responded in a marvellous way. Everton have top players and today was tricky, a dangerous, dangerous game,” said Guardiola. It is two years since City lost consecutive league games, and they have never gone successive league matches without scoring un-
der the Spaniard. A midweek win over Hoffenheim in the Champions League should have dealt with any lingering hangover from the Stamford Bridge defeat but City started poorly on Saturday. Their passing was unusually imprecise, the movement a little disjointed and Everton, set up for a counter-attacking game, should have taken the lead in the 15th minute when Lucas Digne skinned City fullback Kyle Walker and curled in a cross from the left but Richarlison’s attempted volley was off target. Seven minutes later and City showed that even when they are off-rhythm they can still punish any sloppiness. A poor clearance from Yerry Mina, Everton’s Colombia defender, gifted City possession and Leroy Sane, chosen ahead of Raheem Sterling, slipped in Jesus who confidently slotted past Jordan Pickford. As so often at the Etihad the opening goal changed the
match with Everton on the back foot from then on. EVERTON MISTAKE “Until the moment they scored the game was what we expected we were blocking them and they didn’t create one chance,” said Everton manager Marco Silva. “The biggest chance was our chance with Richarlison. Against these teams we have to be effective when we create opportunities to score. “We made a mistake with the first goal. They scored and after that they were more comfortable,” he said.Sane was the creator again when Jesus doubled City’s lead five minutes after the break, with a header from a pinpoint cross by the Germany winger. Silva was clearly disappointed that, despite playing with three central defenders, Jesus was left unchallenged to convert a goal that put City in firm control.
NBS and BCB... From page 80 each.Crabwood Creek Sports defeated Crabwood Creek All Family by eight wickets. CWC Sports Club batted first and made 147 with A. Ali 28 and D. Persaud 27. D. Chaniliar was the main wicket taker with 6-29 while U. Harilall and D. Chandardat grabbed 2 each bowling for CWC Sports Club. They in reply raced to 147 in 16 overs with Brian Sukhan 61(6x4, 4x6), D. Chandardat 43 and N. Deo 19. The game between No68 Turn Team and No64 Fighting Marines saw the Turn Team sinking the Marines to win by 128 runs. Turn Team batted first and scored a massive 287 in 39.4 overs. Anthony Doursabhdan 98 (11x4, 5x6) and Turan Persaud 82(6x4, 7x6) lead the charge with Karim Persaud making 41. Bowling for the Marines Y. Bishun 5, D. Budhoo 3 and Deen 2 were the wicket takers. They were then dismissed for 159 with D. Budhoo 73(13x4) and Isahack18. Bowling the Turn Team, D. Ghani, J. Holsie and T. Persaud took 2 wickets each. In another game, Jukestown Warriors whipped Scottsburg United by 8 wickets. Scottsburg were bundled out for 67 in 19 overs as C. Beresford with 4 wickets and S. Byass 2 the main wicket takers bowling for Jukestown Warriors. They in reply hurried to 68-2 in 8.1 overs with Wayne Amsterdam 24(4x4) and N. Richards 22. Mohan Rajhuraj took the 2 wickets. (Samuel Whyte)
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Archery Guyana’s third Fundraiser for St. Joseph Mercy Hospital’s Fair Archery Guyana partnered with St. Joseph Mercy Hospital for the third consecutive year by having an archery stall at the hospital’s Annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 1 at Demerara Park, Banks DIH. The stall was manned by Archery Guyana members: Nicholas Hing, Umasankar Madray, Jessica Callender and Shereeda Yusuf. Special thanks also to Eric Hing for assisting with the archery stall. The Fair was well attended by many patrons but there was particular emphasis on the archery game where throngs of supporters flocked to take chances at hitting “gold” (the most central ring of the target)! The archery game attracted persons from all age groups and the fun was shared with every arrow being shot. Participants enjoyed the shooting much more than winning a prize due to the cheering that they received from bystanders and enthusiastic newcomers awaiting their turns. The attraction of the game was traditional barebow
One of Santa’s elves decided to try her hand at archery. shooting at the two targets one for adults and one for children - placed at varying distances with the end goal to hit the yellow centre ring. One shot to gold secured a win. As such, aspiring archers
Pride beat Scorpions by 41 runs – 3rd day, 2nd round BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados Pride defeated Jamaica Scorpions by 41 runs on the third day of the second round match in the Regional Four-Day Championship at 3W’s Oval here yesterday. The Scorpions were dismissed for just 65 in their second innings with Miguel Cummins 4-19 and Jomel Warrican 4-27 doing the damage. Scores: BARBADOS PRIDE 167
(Jonathan Carter 51, Aaron Jones 28, Jomel Warrican 26, Justin Greaves 25; Nikita Miller 4-53, Derval Green 3-10) and 187 (Shayne Moseley 48, Kraigg Brathwaite 37, Hayden Walsh 36, Aaron Jones 31; Nikita Miller 6-76, Dennis Bulli 3-41). JAMAICA SCORPIONS 248 (John Campbell 78, Paul Palmer 67, Dennis Bulli 25; Jomel Warrican 8-89) and 65 (Miguel Cummins 4-19, Jomel Warrican 4-27).
Australia confident despite India’s... From page 76 we probably could have been more disciplined. Hopefully tomorrow we can be just a little bit better.” Beyond Kohli and Rahane, who have shared an unbeaten 90-run partnership, India’s batting order contains inexperienced pair Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant, and a fragile lower-order. “I think one or two wickets in the first session tomorrow will be pretty big for us,” Khawaja said. “It isn’t an easy wicket to bat on. We have to start well and then we can have a chance at that tail.” Khawaja praised Kohli’s
determined 181-ball knock, but reckoned Australia would have opportunities to knock over the India talisman. “He was on early today and we gave him a couple of full balls and he hit us,” Khawaja said. “He got away but he will have to start again tomorrow and we will have another chance.” India lead the four-match series after a nail-biting 31-run victory in Adelaide. Scores: India 3 for 172 (Kohli 82*, Rahane 51*, Starc 2-42) trail Australia326 (Harris 70, Head 58, Ishant 4-41) by 154 runs.
for the afternoon were given 3 or 6 arrows to shoot in an effort to win one of the many prizes displayed. There were excited faces and loud cheering and awe displayed by spectators as the target was
Two prize winners proudly showing off their winnings. hit especially by the youngest patrons. Although, Archery Guyana’s stall consistently attracted a large cross section of the patrons, it unfortunately had to close even as
more persons gathered to shoot because the fair had officially ended. Archery Guyana is pleased to once again partner for this event to bring Christmas Cheer to all.
Thanks to St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital, Mr. Chris Fernandes and Mr. Steven Fernandes. More information on Archery Guyana can be found on www.ArcheryGuyana.org.
Regional 4-day cricket
Permaul five-for puts Jaguars in commanding position Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul captured his 26thfive-wicket haul at this level to leave four-times defending champions Guyana Jaguars in sight of their second consecutive victory of this season’s Regional Four-Day contest against Leeward Hurricanes at the end of the penultimate day of their second round contest yesterday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium at North Sound, Antigua. After bowing out the Jaguars for 289 from their overnight position of 2155, the host ended the on 130-7 leading by just 23 as they head into today’s final day to leave the Jaguars in a strong position to extend their unbeaten streak in First-Class cricket to 12. Rakeem Cornwall reached the boundary three times in his 38, while Keacy Carty hit three fours in 23. But only Jeremiah Louis (18) and Alzarri Joseph (15) of the other batsmen reached 15 as
their frustrating unfinished eight-wicket stand has so far produced 25 runs from 7.5 overs to leave the Hurricanes in danger of an early defeat today. The 29–year-old Permaul has so far captured 5-49 from 25 overs, while Romario Shepherd and Gudakesh Motie has a wicket each. Permaul started the slide by removing openers Montcin Hodge (15) and Carty after they had given their team a good foundation with their 40-run stand. Carty was caught by Ta g e n arine Chanderpaul while seven runs later Hodge edged Permaul to Skipper Leon Johnson at slip and the Hurricanes never really recovered as they lost wickets at regular intervals although Cornwall offered token resistance and along with Orlando Peters (8) added 22 for the fifth wicket. But once Cornwall was trapped LBW by Permaul at 105-7 the Jaguars were large and in charge as they blew away the Hurricane’s middle order.
Veerasammy Permaul took another five wicket haul in Antigua yesterday. Louis and Alzarri Joseph joined forces and showed fight to take their side to the close without further loss. Earlier, Jaguars lost their last five wickets for just 43 runs as the burly Antiguan Cornwall showed once again why he is widely regarded as the best offspinner in the Region by finishing with 4-48 from 29 overs. Overnight batsmen Anthony Bramble and Vishal Singh pushed the score to 246 before Bramble (25) was removed by pacer Sheno Berridge who had 253.
When 10 away for 10thcentury at this level, the 29-year-old lefthanded Singh was dismissed by Cornwall at 2557 after facing 209 balls and reaching the boundary nine times. Permaul (1) was run out at 267-8 before Motie (0) charged Cornwall with Shepherd batting well at the other end and was taken in the deep at 285 before Shepherd who made 18 from 77 balls with two fours, backed away and had his stumps scattered to give Joseph his only wicket of the innings.
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Abjal had outstanding season for Good Success in OSCL Following his outstanding showing in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL), Imtiaz Abjal was rewarded for his efforts when the League held its annual awards ceremony recently in Scarborough. In the T20 tournament, Abjal notched up 201 runs in nine innings with a highest score of 50, while Naveed Ali was the next best batsman for Good Success with 156 runs in seven innings. Imran Khan 154 runs in seven innings, Abdool Azeez 135 runs and Krishna Persaud 112 from nine innings completed the top five batsmen for the team. The side’s top bowler in this league was Naveed Ali with 12 wickets at an average of 4.64; Askoh Ramjass 12 wickets at 4.42, Abjal 11 wickets at 6.03, Moin Khan eight wickets at 5.33 and Abu Shameer Khan eight wickets at 5.68 rounded the top five. Abjal received a prize for scoring 53 not out in the T10 tournament, while his teammate Ashook Ramjass took the trophy for being named the MVP in the final in the 15-over B division competition where he grabbed 5-18 to help his team to victory; he was also rewarded for taking 6-2 in the preliminary round. Good Success received the championship trophy while each player were given trophies and medals for their efforts.
Members of the Good Success team with their hardware.
GFF’s disciplinary code formally presented to Disciplinary Committee
GFF President Wayne Forde presents the GFF’s Disciplinary Code to Chairman Roger Yearwood and Whittington Braithwaite and Ashley King of the Disciplinary Committee. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has formally presented the FIFA-approved Disciplinary Code to the Chairman and Members of the GFF’s Disciplinary Committee on Friday last paving the way for key matters to be adjudicated. This presentation was made in the GFF’s Boardroom to Chairman Roger Yearwood in the presence of some committee members. In an invited comment following the presentation, Yearwood said that the Disciplinary Code will enable the effective delivery of the type of conduct demanded by the football administrators and the public: “We believe going forward, all the necessary elements can work together to im-
prove the delivery and the type of conduct that is expected of football administrators and demanded by the public from persons involved in the sport including players, referees, coaches and others.” The Chairman is also hopeful that this Revised Code will serve as a guide to the expectation of conduct for international representation: “Hopefully, we can get our players more aligned to what is expected of them at the international level so that if they are hoping to take their careers to greater heights, they would be in a position of knowledge and adequately represent Guyana without instances of misconduct, which will reflect badly on the
GFF President Wayne Forde briefs members of the Disciplinary Committee prior to formal presentation of GFF’s Disciplinary Code.
country and the Guyana Football Federation. We’re hopeful with this Code, much can be achieved and much can be attained.” In expressing gratitude to the Chairman and members to serve on the committee, Forde said the revised Disciplinary Code is a major step forward and bodes well for the sport: “We believe that the revised Code, approved by FIFA, provides the instruments and tools to administer discipline in a swift, transparent and thorough manner. We expect every stakeholder – fans, clubs and officials – will now see a greater need to align themselves with the level of conduct that we think should reflect the beautiful game of football.”
Among the priority issues to be adjudicated by the Disciplinary Committee are: violent conduct involving players during the GFA Revival Cup, the matter involving sexual harassment of female referees by match officials and administrators and allegations of inappropriate behavior by an Executive Committee member. While the GFF’s Disciplinary Code was approved by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in June 2018, the GFF’s Regulations Committee was tasked with revising the fines as it was the opinion of FIFA, that the fines stated in the original draft “seem too
lenient given their low value.” The GFF’s Disciplinary Code is the framework, which informs the work of the GFF’s Disciplinary Committee. This is stipulated in the GFF’s Constitution under Article 61: “Disciplinary Committee; 2”: “The responsibilities and functions of the Disciplinary Committee shall be stipulated in the Disciplinary Code of the Federation, which shall be issued by the Executive Committee and comply with the Disciplinary Code of the FIFA and Concacaf.” Other members of GFF’s Disciplinary Committee are Braithwaite Whittington Braithwaite, Dr. Clement Mc Ewan, Ashley King and Everyon Singh-Lammy.
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GFF/Stag Super 16
KFC Mega Cup Round 2…
All systems ready for finale The second round of the KFC Mega Cup Karting event takes place today at GT Motorsports on Thomas Lands and Albert Street. Featuring the North American style competition in qualifying, pre-final and final, the event begins at 14:00hrs. With less than twentyfour hours to go before the Shifter karts battle, the drivers are playing mind games with each another. A visit to the GT Motorsports track yesterday found several of them preparing for the later free practice. Friday’s unofficial session had the four drivers – Jamaica’s Collin Daley and the Guyanese trio of Kristian Jeffrey, Stefan Jeffrey and Calvin Ming- each separated by just over five-tenths of a second unofficially. The shifter races are going to be closely competed with all four of the above competitors having competed at the North American level before. Senior class will be the largest With the inclusion of the Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) duo of Kristian Boodoosingh and Zachary Boodram, this is easily set to be the largest group of competitors to line up on race day. Mix in Daley, Kristian Jeffrey and Ming in this class as well and this is sure to be a warm-up to the shifter kart finale that everyone will be talk-
ing about. Then there are the locals; Steven Nobrega who will be joined by the Juniors in John Phang, Mikhail Persaud, Elan Rahaman, Gianai Carpenter and Faraud Mohamed will surely add spice to a battle that will require concentration. Close competition set for Junior category With Rahaman, Mikhail, Faraud and Gianai joining Rayden Persaud, there is sure to be some left over adrenaline left in the system. All the drivers have dealt with each other more than a few times this year and it’s no doubt that by now, they are going to have quite the required amount of knowledge of each other’s driving abilities. Passing will also be of utmost importance here considering that several last-minute passes earlier this year have not worked out to the detriment of earlier races. It will be interesting to see how last round’s winner Mohamed prepares for the battle that lies ahead. Easy Cup; anything but easy Last time out, Jean-Claude Jeffrey had an easy time in roping to the Easy Cup title but things will be different this time around. Competitors have been priming for the battle that awaits and the new-commers have been exploring new grounds for producing the passing needed in
this class. In the weeks leading up to the event, several competitors have been seen putting in the extra hours with the aim of beating the young JeanClaude. What has been phenomenal in the opening round is Brian Woolford who has stormed the competition with some clinical passing; interesting to see if he can muster up the pace to get by Jeffrey; he is sure to string together a pass if he does. The Rahaman Ten-Pow battle renewed The defensive masterclass that is Nathan Rahaman went old school the last time out; take the lead early and defend with the most sober of lines and this worked well. Jeremy Ten Pow had stomped the competition during round one’s earlier qualifying and pre-final but Nathan made one move stick and it was 13 laps of pure concentration. Don’t be fooled however, the slightest of mistakes could be disastrous for them both as Paige Mendonca was right in Ten-Pow’s exhaust for three –quarters of the race last time out; showing that she has the pace to match the front runners. Also in that class is Jeremy Ten Pow, Nicolas Sawh and Benjamin Phang. Tickets for the event cost $1,000 and can be purchased at the gate.
Australia confident despite India’s ominous Kohli PERTH (Reuters) - Australia remain confident of grabbing a valuable first-innings lead over India in the second test despite being stonewalled by visiting captain Virat Kohli on a grassy Perth Stadium wicket that failed to match the hype on day two. After Australia made a competitive 326 in their first innings, spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood started spectacularly with the ball by dismissing India openers Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul inside the opening six overs. But Kohli rescued India through half-century partnerships with the in-form Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. India reached stumps on a more comfortable 172 for three with Kohli 82 not out and his deputy Rahane unbeaten on 51 to leave the match evenly poised.
India’s captain Virat Kohli raises his bat after scoring his half century on day two of the second test match between Australia and India at Perth Stadium in Perth, Australia, December 15, 2018. (AAP/Dave Hunt/via REUTERS) Australia bowled accurately but the pitch, marked with widening cracks, settled down late in the day. Australia batsman Usman Khawaja believed there was enough spice in the wicket for
the bowlers to exploit in the crucial third morning session. “It had (some) patches today, which were still doing a bit,” Khawaja told reporters. “I think we bowled well but (Continued on page 74)
Defending champs GDF and Buxton United record opening wins; two more matches today Paul Kingston (right), Ronaldo Fredericks, Dillon Wright and Tyrone Harper – Buxton United FC
By Franklin Wilson Defending Guyana Football Federation Super-16 champions, Guyana Defence Force on Friday evening last waltzed into the quarter-finals of this year’s Stag sponsored championship after getting past a stubborn Essequibo Select team 3-1 at the Georgetown Football Club ground, GFC. The main event produced some anxious moments for the Army side as the lads from the Cinderella County represented well clawing back to tie the game at 1-1. The opening match between Elite League side Buxton United and Rivers View of Bartica ended with the former advancing to the round of eight with a solid 6-0 win. The two winners will square off on Christmas night in the feature match at the Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara ground. Essequibo proved to be a tough foe for the GDF which was only able to break the deadlock, 27 minutes into the encounter. Sherwyn Caesar was the player to breach the Essequibo defence and goalkeeper Andy Atkinson who stood solid between the uprights despite the loss. There were no other goals before the end of the first half but the Essequibians stung the Army early in the second half to draw level from the penalty mark. Randy DeJonge was given the opportunity to take the penalty and did not disappoint, his shot flew past goalkeeper Enoch Carmichael in the 48th minute. But almost immediately after giving up the advantage, the GDF restored their one goal advantage when Abumchi Benjamin netted the first of his second
Sherwyn Caesar – GDF FC half brace that secured victory for the GDF. Benjamin rocked the nets in the 49th minute and closed out the win in the 71st minute whilst securing their place in the quarter-finals. A double each from Ronaldo Fredericks and Dillon Wright fashioned Buxton United’s 6-0 win over Rivers View. Fredericks scored in the 24th and 64th minutes, while, Wright ensured he didn’t go wrong by hitting the target in the 52nd and 88th minutes. Opening the scoring for Buxton was Paul Kingston in the 58th minute, while the other came from Tyrone Harper in the 75th minute. Following the opening match, there was a colourful march past of the contesting clubs where GFF President Wayne Forde headed the list of dignitaries that took the salute. He was joined by Ansa McAl’s Earl Nelson, GFF Vice President Rawlston Adams and Exco Members, Maxine Stewart and Carmel Williams. Nelson in his remarks expressed thanks to the GFF for
allowing his company to partner with them for the tournament, noting that they are impressed with the way the game is being governed by the federation. He also said that Ansa McAl will continue to support the continued development of the sport. Federation President Forde wished the teams the best and also extended gratitude to Ansa McAl, the main sponsors as well as the other corporate entities that have come on board. Two more clubs will walk the plank this evening when play continues. The respective winners of the Fruta Conquerors vs Berbice Select (18:00hrs) and Western Tigers vs Police (20:00hrs) shindigs will also book quarter-finals slots later this month. Following tonight’s action, the GFF/Stag Super 16 train will move to the East Coast location of Golden Grove on Friday where Ann’s Grove will lock horns with Soesdyke Falcons from 18:30hrs followed an all East Coast derby between Victoria Kings and Buxton Stars.
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Timehri storm back to hand Agricola first loss; Grove sits at top with one game to go EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League
Jamal Cordis (left), Jevon Pluck and Joshua Fredericks – Grove Hi Tech FC
T
imehri Panthers showed some resolve to erase a two goal deficit and storm to victory over Agricola Red Triangle, their first loss of the league when day 8 action was contested yesterday at the Diamond Community Center Ground, East Bank, Demerara. On a day which saw three walkovers being recorded, Grove Hi Tech won the other match that was played by a 30 margin over Diamond United, a win which has now taken them to 26 points with one game in hand. The two sides decided to play after both won via the walk over route earlier in the day, Herstelling Raiders and Kuru Kururu Warriors did not show up to face them. The other club winning via the same route was Diamond
Upsetters from Mocha Champs. With just four minutes to go in the 30 minute (15 minutes per half) clash, Timehri Panthers were in a spot of bother as they were facing their second loss of the league as Agricola were intent on maintaining their unbeaten run. But that was not to be as Omar Sam, now the league’s leading goal scorer with 19 in eight matches, blasted a double in quick time to secure a memorable win. Agricola’s Captain, Jonathan Andries (11 goals) had handed his team the lead in the 11th minute and it was doubled by teammate Jermaine Taylor in the 19th minute. The Agricola lads were looking set to record yet
Victory! Timehri Panthers Captain Omar Sam scores the winning goal against Agricola Red Triangle yesterday.
Keron Williams (left) and Omar Sam – Timehri Panthers FC another win but the determination of the Timehri Panthers unit brought them over the line whilst handing Agricola their first loss. Keron Williams it was who initially reduced the lead with a long range missile that beat Agricola’s custodian in the 26th minute. It was exactly what the doctor had ordered and it # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
brought the lads to life as they now believed that they could have at least salvage a point, urged on by their Coach. Captain Omar Sam then took matters into his own hands and delivered the neutralizing goal, another long range shot that caught the goalkeeper again in the 28th minute. With two minutes to go,
Team Grove Hi Tech Timehri Panthers Agricola Red Triangle Swan FC Diamond Upsetters Samatta Point KV Diamond United Mocha Champs Herstelling Raiders Friendship All Stars Kuru Kururu Warriors Hararuni Eagles
P 10 8 8 7 8 7 9 8 8 8 8 7
W 8 7 6 6 4 3 2 2 2 1 1 1
Timehri were now taking the attack to the Agricola lads who did not have any answer and with one minute to go, Captain Sam stood large and in charge as he rocketed in the winning goal to the delight of his teammates and Coach but the dismay of their Agricola counterparts; a memorable come from behind win. L 0 1 1 0 3 3 5 6 6 5 7 6
D 2 0 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 2 0 0
GF 31 40 32 23 12 6 11 14 8 9 3 4
GA 6 9 6 5 10 24 19 13 34 22 23 23
Grove notched their eight win in ten matches thanks to goals from Joshua Fredericks in the 1st minute, Jevon Pluck (9 goals) in the 16th minute and Jamal Cordis (13 goals) in the 17th. Matches will continue on Tuesday at the same venue. Following is the latest Points Standings. GD +25 +31 +26 +18 +2 -18 -8 +1 -26 -13 -20 -19
Points 26 21 19 19 13 10 8 6 6 5 3 3
KFC Goodwill Cup
T&T’s Shiva boys open campaign with a win By Calvin Chapman The inaugural KFC Goodwill Schools’ Football Cup kicked off last night at the Ministry of Education (MoE) on Carifesta Avenue with a delayed start but Trinidad and Tobago’s ( T & T ) S h i v a ’s H i n d u College made the wait worthwhile with a commanding 2-0 triumph over Annai Secondary School. Early in the third minute of the clash, Shiva’s Gesiah Bishop was brought down in the penalty area by one the Rupununi based school’s player and Bishop made no mistake as he opted to covert the spot kick himself which he did successfully to see the visiting side drawing first blood in the fourth minute. Shiva’s boys’ college dominated the match and it was evident that their level of training was different and
they surely demonstrated such on the Carifesta Avenue ground. The T&T lads pace, first touch and passing accuracy were excellent. The youngsters weren’t short of flicks and tricks and they had their fair bit of fun dribbling the Region Nine team that found it hard to get their footing. S h i v a ’s b o y s o n l y shortcoming was their finishing and delivery in the final third in the game which they should have scored at least two more goals. Heading into half time, the score was two nil after the Skipper Nikel Roberts had blasted in a good strike from about 25 yards out in the 23rd minute. After the win, Shiva’s Skipper, Roberts, noted that, “It (the match) was a tough challenge and I am happy that my team was good
Gesiah Bishop Shiva’s Hindu College. enough to come out with the win and we are looking forward to a fantastic tournament here in Guyana.” Annandale played C h r i s t i a n b u r g / Wi s m a r Secondary School (CWSS) in the second match last night. Up to press time, the
score in the feature encounter was 0-0. The KFC goodwill tournament features four school teams, three from Guyana and one for T&T battling for the KFC Cup in a round-robin format over three days.
Nikel Rawlings -Shiva’s Hindu College (Captain)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday December 16, 2018
Trophy Stall Christmas Badminton Tournament off to good start
Stephine Sajar defeated Jayde Dasilva to win the Open Ladies Consolation Finals.
The Trophy Stall Christmas Singles Badminton Tournament 2018 was opened Friday at the National Gymnasium. The Trophy Stall makes it possible once a year for the Badminton Players to compete in this prestigious tournament. This Year the tournament is being played in the Open Men & Ladies Singles and
also the Under-11, 15, & 19 Boys & Girls Singles. On the Opening Night the Tournament was played off in the Open Men & Ladies Events. Day-1 Results are: Open Men Singles First Rounds: Jonathan Mangra defeated Jamal Shamsudeen: 21-18, 21-9 Avian Rodigues defeated Damian Waithe: 21-12, 21-7 William Holder defeated Easa Sanichara: 21-17, 2114 Akili Haynes defeated Manoj Sharma: 21-5, 21-7 Tyrese Jeffrey defeated Hemraj Beharry: 21-7, 21-19 Avinash Odit defeated Isaac Mallampati: 21-0, 21-9 Sekhar Mallampati defeated Mahander Sharma: 21-16, 21-17 Darrell Carpenay defeated Gokarn Ramdhani: 21-11, 21-9 Open Men Singles Quarter-Finals: Jonathan Mangra defeated Avian Rodrigues: 21-12, 21-13 Akili Haynes defeated William Holder: 21-9, 22-20 Avinash Odit defeated Tyrese Jeffrey: 21-17, 22-20 Darrell Carpenay defeated Sekhar Mallampati: 21-5, 21-7 Open Men Singles Semi-Finals: Jonathan Mangra defeated Akili Haynes: 2111, 21-13 Avinash Odit defeated Darrell Carpenay: 21-13, 2117 Open Ladies Singles Quarter-Finals:
Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Stephine Sajar: 212, 21-6 Christina Kumar defeated Ashley Escarraga: 21-9, 21-6 Ayanna Watson defeated Jayde DaSilva: 21-7, 21-9 Pricilla Moore defeated Emelia Ramdhani: 21-19, 21-17 Open Singles Semi Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Christina Kumar: 21-5, 21-6 Pricilla Moore defeated Ayanna Watson: 21-13, 2114 Open Men Singles Consolation QuarterFinals: Jamal Shamsudeen defeated Damian Waithe: 21-6, 21-7 Easa Sanichara degeated Manoj Sharma: 21-7, 21-3 Hemraj Beharry defeated Isaac Mallampati: 21-17, 2118 Gokarn Ramdhani defeated Mahender Sharma: 21-16, 21-12 Open Ladies Singles Consolation Semi-Finals: Stephine Sajar defeated Ashley Escarraga: 21-14, 21-16 Jayde DaSilva defeated Emelia Ramdhani: 21-9, 2115 Open Ladies Singles Consolation Finals: Stephnie Sagar defeated Jayde DaSilva: 21-8, 21-15 The tournament continued yesterday with the remaining events in the Open division and the Juniors Under-11, 15 & 19 Age Group Events.
NBS and BCB 40 overs Second Division Upper Corentyne zone continues Play in the New Building Society (NBS) and Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) 40 overs Second Division competition for teams in the Upper Corentyne zone is continuing. Results of matches show Skeldon Titans blowing away Crabwood Creek B o mb S q u ad b y n in e wickets. Bomb Squad batted first and were blasted out for 77 with L. Davis 26 and R. Mohabeer 23. Bowling for Titans Errol Byass with 5-12 and Farud Bacchus 3 did the damage. Titans in their turn at the crease raced to 80 in 6.1 overs with A. Seeraj 36 not
out (4x4, 2x6) and Errol Byass 23(5x4). No 72 Cut and Load got the better of No70 MYO by 52 runs in a high scoring affair. Cut and Load batted first and made 226 in 30.4 overs with Rishi Persaud hammering 161 (9x4, 16X6). Bowling for MYO Jameel Khan 5-41 was supported by A. Khan and N. Khan with 2 wickets each. MYO in reply fell for 174 with Afeez Khan 58 and J. Khan 52. Bowling for Cut and Load Abdul Ajib led the way with 4 wickets as Davenan Chatterpaul and Ramesh Joseph snared 2 (Continued on page 75)
Sunday December 16, 2018
Kaieteur News
From Windies U-19 Captain to Entrepreneur
Steven Jacobs launches Jacobs Jewellery & Pawn Shop By Sean Devers In 2006 in Guyana and 2007 in St Kitts, Steven Jacobs showed leadership ability by Captaining Guyana to consecutive Regional U-19 three-day cricket titles before leading the West Indies U-19 team in the 2008 Regional 50-over tournament as they prepared for the 2008 U-19 World Cup in Malaysia in which India’s Virat Kholi participated. Now, 12 years later and with five First-Class fifties and 54 wickets to his name and a Diploma in Sports Management in 2014 from UWI, the 30-year-old Jacobs officially entered the world of Entrepreneurship yesterday by launching the Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop located at 16 Pike Street Kitty. Jacobs, who played the first of 26 First-Class matches against the Windwards in Grenada in 2006 as an opening batsman, married his wife Simone last September and is the Father of a boy (Jordon) and a girl (Jamie-Lee). “Becoming a Father has given a new sense of responsibility and made me realise that there is life after cricket which inspired me to this Jewellery and Pawn Shop (today) yesterday,” Jacobs explained. “I grew up around Gold since was Father was the owner of King-of-King Establishment which he owned from 1996 to 2014 so I wanted to carry the Jacobs tradition but with my own style. Jacobs who resides in Herstelling, East Bank, informed that he wanted the Kitty location because this
was where the King-ofKings was and was a popular Jewellery shop in Pike Street. Because of his popularity as a National Cricketer, Jacobs, who represented the Jamaica Tallawahs in this year’s CPL, already has a good clientele for his business which opens from 9-5 from Monday to Saturday. “I always wanted to be involved in business and did this behind the scene. I have made stuff for a lot of the cricketers like Emrit, Carlos Braithwaite, Santokie and Sunil Narine and others and we have a lot of orders coming in,” informed Jacobs who has also played 38 List ‘A’ and 43 T20s. The Malteenoes offspinner said his Jewellery can be ordered and made to the customer’s design or choose from a catalogue book or you can buy on-line or just walk in get what you want at very affordable prices. Jacobs, who represented Guyana, Guyana Amazon Wa r r i o r s , J a m a i c a Ta l l a w a h s , Va n c o u v e r Knights and West Indies Under-19s, says he will place equal focus on his cricket and Business and wants to get this bigger in the future, adding this is a small step in the bigger picture. “This is also a way of supporting the local business industry since many have supported my cricket career and I want to give back to society. I have employed four persons and this Jewellery shop will be open even when I am away for Cricket,” explained Jacobs. Jacobs Jewellery and
Smalta girls’ peewee finals
West versus North for title A new champion will be crowned this afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground when the 2018 Smalta girls’ under-11 peewee football tournament concludes.After a month of competition, North Ruimveldt Primary School will match skills with West Ruimveldt Primary in the final which is scheduled to kick off at 15:45hrs. In their semifinal last Saturday, North held on to a one goal lead and snuffed out all attacking threats from South Ruimveldt’s skipper and leading goal scorer Fayon Henry, who was isolated at the
top.With that result, it means that a new champion will be crowned today. The other finalist, West Ruimveldt, didn’t have an easy going against St. Pius girls in their semifinal and the losers ensured that the match had to be decided via kicks from the penalty mark. Seona France had given the finalists an early lead with a successful strike in the 5th minute but Christal Archer levelled up just before halftime. However, West held their nerve to win the shootout 3-2.St. Pius will clash with South Ruimveldt in the third place playoff at 14:50hrs.
Pawn shop will collaborate on December 23 with the Sophia ‘U’ empowerment trust to provide Christmas gifts to the less fortunate children in the Sophia area at a Party for them. Outside of cricket, Steven also runs Jacobs entertainment which promotes the annual CLP party where several artiest including DJ Bravo performs.
It is good to see players like the former St Joseph High Student investing the money they earn from cricket into business ventures and donations to less fortunate in society. His establishment can be contacted on 227-8748 and 6 2 2 - 4 9 7 0 o r a t jacobsthejewler@gmail.co m, while their Facebook page is Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn Shop.
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Guyana off-spinning all rounder Steven Jacobs yesterday launched the Jacobs Jewellery & Pawn Shop in Pike Street Kitty.
t r o Sp Shiva’s Nikel Rawlings (right) dominated play in the midfield.
Annai’s Vasco Cabral deals a crunching tackle on Shiva’s Mordeccai Brown during last night’s clash.
KFC Goodwill Cup
T&T’s Shiva boys open campaign with a win GFF/Stag Super 16 Defending champs GDF and Buxton
United record opening wins; two more matches today
Jean-Claude Jeffrey leads the pack in the Easy Cup rookie class in the previous meet.
Action in the 60cc Kids Cup in the previous event at GT Motorsports.
KFC Mega Cup Round 2…
All systems ready for finale Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.